Economy News in English
Latest economy headlines from Dutch news, translated into English.
AI is changing the workplace but will not lead to mass unemployment
Recent research from the AWVN indicates that 95 percent of employers are now using AI, primarily to increase efficiency rather than to reduce their workforce. While experts anticipate that some job fu...
Is the hazelnut a way out of the nitrogen crisis? ‘These little trees need just as much love as my cows’
Dairy farmer Jan van der Veen is transitioning his agricultural production from milk to hazelnuts to address nitrogen emission concerns. He reports that his new hazelnut operation successfully produce...
Arrival of East Bridge delayed again, municipality still short at least 170 million euros
The construction of the Oostbrug in Amsterdam faces further delays as the project currently faces a funding shortfall of at least 170 million euros. Technical complexities and rising costs have led to...
Just Eat Takeaway orders rise for first time in 4.5 years
Just Eat Takeaway has recorded its first rise in order volume in over four years following strategic investments by parent company Prosus. The firm reports growth in its user base and plans to continu...
Using electricity at night can save money: ACM wants power rates to depend on the time of day
The Dutch Authority for Consumers and Markets (ACM) is proposing time-based electricity transport tariffs to reduce peak grid pressure. By encouraging consumers to use electricity during off-peak hour...
Small households could save 200 euros by using time-of-use electricity tariffs
The Dutch regulatory authority ACM will introduce variable electricity transport tariffs in 2029 to manage peak grid demand. Small households could save up to 200 euros per year by shifting usage to o...
Dutch online stores take on scammers and fake webshops
The number of victims of fake webshops in the Netherlands has risen to 1.2 million, prompting industry group Thuiswinkel.org to launch a new monitoring system to detect and block fraudulent sites. Whi...
More rabbits needed to unlock nitrogen gridlock in Rotterdam port
Authorities are initiating a massive ecological restoration project in dunes around the Port of Rotterdam to combat a long-standing nitrogen permit deadlock. By improving habitat conditions and suppor...
House prices exceed half a million, but buyers have more choice again
Dutch house prices reached an average of 503,000 euros in the third quarter, a slight increase amid a 24 percent rise in available housing supply. Despite more properties being on the market, sales re...
Sharp rise in homes for sale, but concerns over ‘mismatch’ and ‘shrinkflation’ in new construction
The Dutch housing market has seen a substantial increase in both existing and new-build home listings, offering buyers more negotiation room and choice. However, sales for new construction projects ar...
Amsterdam housing market cools down, but homes still frequently sell above asking price – especially in West and North
The Amsterdam housing market is cooling as buyers exercise more caution, leading to a decrease in the frequency and extent of overbidding. While 77 percent of homes still sell above the asking price, ...
Homes stay on the market longer: "Buyers are acting more cautiously"
Homes in Amsterdam are spending more time on the market as buyers become increasingly selective due to higher mortgage rates and shifting economic conditions. Although the supply of available properti...
Essent expands services with fast charging for electric cars
Essent is becoming a major provider of public fast-charging for electric vehicles in the Netherlands by rebranding 79 locations and 370 charging points. The expansion, achieved through a collaboration...
Oil prices rise after multiple tanker attacks in Strait of Hormuz
At least twelve attacks on tankers in the Strait of Hormuz between late September and early October have caused shipping traffic to plummet to a two-month low. The resulting supply chain disruptions h...
Bridge over the IJ delayed - and Amsterdam is still 170 million euros short
The Oostbrug project in Amsterdam is facing new delays and a financing shortfall of nearly 170 million euros. Rising construction costs and tensions with the national government over cruise ship polic...
Consumers spend more on durable goods such as cars and home furnishings
Dutch households increased their spending on food and services in August, though consumption of other goods like fuel experienced a slight dip. However, economic sentiment shifted in September as both...
Construction group BAM acquires contractor A.Hak
Construction firm BAM has announced the acquisition of A.Hak for over 500 million euros to expand its energy and water infrastructure capabilities. The deal is expected to be finalized by the first qu...
BAM acquires underground infrastructure construction company A.Hak
Construction company BAM has acquired A.Hak, a specialist in underground infrastructure, in a deal valued at over 500 million euros. This acquisition allows BAM to broaden its service offerings and te...
Electric cars are driving further into Europe, but watch out for hidden costs in France
Dutch electric vehicle drivers are increasingly traveling further across Europe, but the ANWB warns that hidden costs like blocking fees remain a problem in countries such as France. Drivers are advis...
Limburg homes lifted on 'trays' to prevent flood damage
To combat recurring flooding from the Maas river, homes in the Limburg village of Well are being elevated by over 1.5 meters to protect them from future rising water levels. This innovative engineerin...
Nature quality in poor state, yet WWF remains hopeful: ‘Over 450 otters in the Netherlands’
A new WWF report reveals a 73 percent decline in average global wildlife populations since 1970, though some species like tigers are showing significant recovery. Locally in the Netherlands, conservat...
Kasper Dolberg's departure is a sporting and especially financial blow
Ajax forward Kasper Dolberg has suffered a torn cruciate ligament, ending his second period with the club. This injury represents a major financial and sporting setback for the Amsterdam team, which h...
Vinted packages arrive late or at different locations when delivery system is full
Vinted is experiencing capacity issues within its VintedGo locker network, leading to shipment delays and the rerouting of packages to alternative pickup locations. To address the problem, the company...
NAM pays out large sums to Shell and ExxonMobil shareholders despite agreements
The NAM has distributed 1.43 billion euros to shareholders Shell and ExxonMobil, causing its solvency to fall below the 25 percent threshold agreed upon with the government. This financial buffer is e...
Oil stocks to be released faster, with diesel prioritized for the market
The IEA is accelerating the release of strategic oil reserves, prioritizing diesel to stabilize markets amid rising global energy prices. Member states have already released 325 million barrels to mit...
Demand for affordable and sustainable funerals grows: 'Just put me in a cardboard box'
The funeral industry in the Netherlands is preparing for a shift in consumer demand toward more affordable and environmentally friendly burial options. As part of this transition, the sector is explor...
Municipality blunders with parking revenue: earmarked funds possibly misspent
The Amsterdam municipal government failed to officially repeal a 2020 ordinance that legally earmarks parking revenue for specific traffic and transport purposes. This administrative error means that ...
Municipality blunders with parking revenue: earmarked funds possibly misspent
The city of Amsterdam mistakenly failed to revoke a 2020 ordinance that mandates parking revenue be spent exclusively on traffic and infrastructure. Because the formal repeal was never processed, conc...
Shell profits from nearly doubled oil refining margins
Shell is experiencing record profit margins as the price gap between crude oil and refined fuels has reached unprecedented levels due to global supply shortages. While high shipping costs and logistic...
Private rental market out of reach for average earners due to high income requirements: 'Hopeless'
Many Dutch households are currently priced out of the private rental market due to high average rents and strict income requirements imposed by landlords. With rental costs often exceeding 1,900 euros...