Economy News in English
Latest economy headlines from Dutch news, translated into English.
Budget deficit in first half of year largest since 2021 pandemic year
The Netherlands recorded a 5 billion euro budget deficit in the first half of 2025, the largest since 2021, due to increased social spending and higher government costs. Despite this, the total govern...
From Kivik sofa to Kallax shelf: Ikea cuts prices on bestsellers and introduces new small stores
Ikea is investing 40 million euros in the Netherlands to lower prices on popular products and improve accessibility. The retailer is also launching smaller, supermarket-sized stores to better reach co...
Everything is dying: Norwegian Consumer Council goes viral with ad about products breaking faster
A viral video campaign by the Norwegian Consumer Council critiques manufacturers for intentionally creating products that break quickly and are difficult to repair. The initiative calls for stronger c...
First 18-hour direct flight between Sydney and New York starting in 2028
Starting in 2028, Qantas will offer a direct 18-hour flight between Sydney and New York to accommodate increasing travel demand. The airline will utilize specially modified Airbus aircraft equipped wi...
Shortening unemployment benefits has little effect on employment growth
Recent research from the CPB indicates that shortening the duration or lowering the amount of unemployment benefits has only a minimal effect on structural employment growth. Although the Dutch govern...
CPB: Shortening unemployment benefit duration creates 8,000 extra jobs, effect is limited
The Dutch Centraal Planbureau (CPB) estimates that reducing unemployment benefit duration from 24 to 12 months will lead to 8,000 extra jobs, though it describes the effect as limited. The plan faces ...
SER wants better guidance for Ukrainians into jobs matching their qualifications: 'We are missing opportunities'
The Social and Economic Council (SER) suggests that municipalities should take formal responsibility for integrating Ukrainian refugees into the Dutch labor market by providing language training and c...
From Hengelo to Amsterdam for a tenner: GoVolta now allowed to offer domestic routes
Budget rail operator GoVolta has been granted permission to launch domestic train services in the Netherlands. The company plans to offer low-cost travel, including round-trip tickets between Hengelo ...
Canadian company abandons bid to acquire Arcadis and withdraws offer
Canadian firm WSP Global has terminated its attempt to acquire the Dutch engineering and consultancy company Arcadis after being rejected twice. The suitor withdrew its offer because it could not enga...
EU extends sanctions against Russia at the last minute
The European Union has reached a last-minute agreement to extend sanctions against Russia, simultaneously shifting the renewal period from six months to three years. The deal involved removing two pro...
ASML is not currently selling any chip machines in Europe
ASML reports that it is not selling any chip-making machines in Europe due to a lack of local investment and new fabrication facilities. The company, which is vital to the global semiconductor supply ...
World Cup visitors bombarded with fast food and drink advertisements
A study found that unhealthy food and drink brands dominated advertising during the World Cup, appearing in over 70 percent of all visible branding throughout the live matches. These advertisements we...
Labor Inspectorate arrests two ex-convicts for benefit fraud
Two former convicts have been arrested by the Netherlands Labor Inspectorate for allegedly defrauding the UWV of 160,000 euros. The suspects reportedly used forged prison discharge documents to illici...
Instagram, Facebook, Snapchat and TikTok are in the doghouse, and Hyves is cleverly capitalizing on it
The former social network Hyves is making a comeback to offer users a nostalgic alternative to major platforms like Facebook and TikTok. The company aims to attract users by emphasizing that their dat...
Former Martinair cargo pilots are entitled to back pay from KLM
Former Martinair cargo pilots have won the right to back pay from KLM for the period spanning 2014 to 2022 following an improper company transfer. Although the court denied their request for retroacti...
Rare black rhinos released in Africa with Dutch connection: ‘Iconic animal’
Three Dutch friends living in Botswana have significantly boosted the country's black rhino population by introducing twenty of the endangered animals to their private reserve. The complex relocation ...
Saudi Arabia reopens key oil pipeline after major drone damage
Saudi Arabia has partially reopened its critical East-West pipeline following damage from Houthi drone attacks. The pipeline serves as a key export route while the ongoing blockade of the Strait of Ho...
Studio without a kitchen for 1,900 euros: "After a year, you've had enough of microwave meals"
A 22-square-meter studio apartment in Amsterdam's Jordaan neighborhood is being advertised for 1,900 euros per month, despite lacking a kitchen and a washing machine. Housing experts suggest the rent ...
Lawyers for Frits van Eerd want judges to personally inspect the famous fridge used to store cash
Lawyers for Frits van Eerd have asked an appeals court to personally inspect the workshop where the former Jumbo executive stored cash in a refrigerator. The defense argues the facility was highly sec...
Anyone who gets in the way of bunq founder Ali Niknam must go, according to a biography written by three investigative journalists: 'For Ali, everything is about efficiency, never about empathy for others'
An unauthorized biography of bunq founder Ali Niknam describes a demanding leadership style that prioritizes extreme efficiency over employee empathy. The book, written by three investigative journali...
EU opens door wider to free trade agreement with the Philippines
The European Union has restarted trade negotiations with the Philippines to eliminate tariffs on most goods and strengthen economic ties. The agreement aims to reduce European dependence on other majo...
KLM resumes flights to Dubai and Saudi Arabia from late October
KLM plans to resume flights to Dubai and Saudi Arabia in late October, though the schedule remains subject to change based on the security situation in the Middle East. Meanwhile, the airline continue...
Eva and Thomas spend 430 euros in two days and then panic sets in
Eva and Thomas, a couple aged 32 and 36, frequently struggle with financial stress due to overspending shortly after receiving their monthly salaries. They consistently find themselves anxious about t...
Dutch fine of 5 million euros for Swiss bank UBS for assisting tax evaders
The Dutch Public Prosecution Service has fined UBS 5 million euros for its role in assisting clients with tax evasion between 2005 and 2015. The investigation focused on Credit Suisse, which was acqui...
Existing owner-occupied homes slightly cheaper in August, price growth continues to slow
Existing owner-occupied home prices in the Netherlands fell by 0.1 percent in August, though they remain 3.3 percent higher than a year ago. The market is cooling due to higher mortgage interest rates...
Luxury brands see middle class pulling back: expensive handbags becoming less of a staple
Middle-class consumers are purchasing fewer luxury goods due to significant price increases and changing spending priorities. Consequently, luxury brands are shifting their strategies to provide more ...
Selling dates from Israeli settlements is now a criminal offense
Starting September 22, the Netherlands has banned the trade of goods from Israeli settlements in occupied Palestinian territories following an International Court of Justice ruling. Violators face pot...
House prices are rising at a slower pace
The pace of house price growth in the Netherlands has slowed to 3.3 percent as of August, down from significantly higher increases recorded in late 2024. While the average sale price remains above 503...
Privacy regulator: filming people with smart glasses is almost never allowed
The Dutch privacy regulator has cautioned that filming people with smart glasses is mostly illegal under GDPR laws, as bystanders have a right to privacy. The authority advises institutions like hospi...
Widower Ivo (74) receives 4138 euros a month and reflects on his legacy: My daughters are already well-off
Retired widower Ivo Steinebach lives on 4,138 euros per month and has no mortgage, leading him to question whether to leave his assets to his already wealthy daughters. He is currently reevaluating hi...