Household consumption in the Netherlands rose by 1.8% year-on-year in May 2026, up from a 1.0% increase in April and marking the strongest expansion since February 2025. The overall rise was driven by higher spending across most categories, with purchases of consumer goods climbing 3.8% from a year earlier (compared with 2.3% in April).
Durable goods posted the sharpest increase, up 6.4% (vs 4.4% in April), as households spent more on cars, shoes, clothing, and household items. Expenditure on food, beverages, and tobacco also picked up, advancing 2.0% (vs 0.7%), while consumption of other goods grew by 1.4% (vs 0.5%).
Spending on household consumption services edged up by 0.3% after remaining flat in April, supported by higher outlays on transport and communication, medical services, and housing. In contrast, households reduced their spending in the hospitality sector and on recreation and culture. Services still account for well over half of total domestic household consumption expenditure.
