Economy News in English
Latest economy headlines from Dutch news, translated into English.
Washington Post: Months needed to clear mines in Strait of Hormuz
The US Defense Department estimates it could take up to six months to clear Iranian mines from the Strait of Hormuz. This prolonged demining process is expected to keep global oil and gas prices high ...
Retirement age rises: the average age Dutch people stop working
The average retirement age in the Netherlands rose to 66 years and 4 months in 2025, an increase of two and a half months compared to the previous year. This shift brings the actual retirement age clo...
Heineken sells more beer thanks to popular premium brands
Heineken reported an increase in beer sales during the first quarter, marking its first volume growth since late 2024. This positive performance was primarily driven by the success of the brewer's pre...
More than 2,700 vacation homes for sale, the highest number in fifteen years
The number of holiday homes for sale in the Netherlands reached a 15-year high last year, with more than 2,700 properties listed on the market. According to the Dutch Association of Real Estate Agents...
Employees on sick leave need more time to recover
Sickness absence in the Netherlands decreased to 5 percent in March, down from 5.4 percent in February. However, the overall quarterly absence rate remains steady because employees who fall ill are ta...
Many women postpone motherhood due to temporary contracts: ‘Financial security first’
A new study reveals that many young adults, particularly women aged 18 to 35, are delaying motherhood due to job insecurity. The prevalence of temporary contracts has led many to prioritize financial ...
EU electric car sales rose nearly 50 percent last month
Sales of fully electric vehicles in the European Union increased by nearly 50 percent in March compared to the same month last year. According to the European automobile manufacturers association (ACE...
Tesla profit rises after slight sales growth, revenue also up
Tesla reported a rise in both profit and revenue for the first quarter of the year compared to the previous year. This financial growth follows a slight increase in the company's vehicle sales during ...
Pension funds have smaller buffers due to war in Middle East
The funding ratios of major Dutch pension funds ABP and PME have declined due to financial market instability linked to the conflict in the Middle East. This decrease could result in less capital bein...
Men make ends meet more easily than women but have debt more often
A study by Deloitte reveals that men are more likely to have surplus income and find it easier to make ends meet than women. Despite these financial advantages, the research also found that men end up...
Oil prices rise on uncertain ceasefire prospects
Oil prices have risen for the fourth consecutive day due to ongoing tensions between the United States and Iran over the Strait of Hormuz. The struggle for control of the strategic waterway has led to...
For sale signs appearing more often and staying longer on luxury holiday homes as oversupply drives down prices, especially in coastal areas
The luxury holiday home market in the Netherlands is cooling down, with a record number of properties listed for sale due to stricter tax measures. This oversupply is leading to falling prices after y...
Jetten maneuvers through fierce debate with cheap train ticket promise and soothing words
Minister Jetten navigated a heated parliamentary debate by promising cheap public transport tickets for the summer to secure opposition support. Despite calls for more fuel price compensation, the Dut...
Small sellers feel robbed by Bol.com: ‘I paid almost 3,000 euros too much’
Small sellers using Bol.com's shipping service are reporting significant overcharges due to inconsistent pricing for packages of identical size and weight. Merchant Cee Heeren claims he was overbilled...
Iranian top negotiator demands end to US blockade
Iranian parliament speaker and top negotiator Mohammed Qalibaf has demanded that the United States end its naval blockade of Iranian ports to facilitate a genuine ceasefire. Qalibaf criticized the cur...
Separate referendum on Israel boycott would cost a few million euros
Mayor Femke Halsema has stated that holding a standalone referendum in Amsterdam regarding a boycott of Israel would cost an estimated 2.19 million euros. The proposal currently lacks majority support...
Separate referendum on Israel boycott would cost a few million euros
Amsterdam Mayor Femke Halsema estimates that holding a standalone referendum on a potential boycott of Israel would cost the city approximately 2.19 million euros. While costs could be significantly r...
Consumer fears war, investor counts on peace
Consumers are growing increasingly pessimistic due to the conflict in the Middle East, while stock markets continue to reach record highs. This contrast raises questions about whether investors are ig...
Many more LGBTQ+ Instagram accounts disabled, many reports from the Netherlands
Numerous LGBTQ+ organizations and minority groups in the Netherlands have reported losing access to their Instagram accounts in recent weeks. The reporting center Repro Uncensored has received approxi...
Greek politicians may face prosecution in EU funds fraud case
The Greek parliament has lifted the legal immunity of thirteen politicians from the ruling Néa Dimokratía party to allow for their prosecution in an EU subsidy fraud case. The scandal involves dozen...
Heinen open to taxing windfall profits, but not yet
Dutch Finance Minister Eelco Heinen has expressed openness to taxing the excess profits of companies benefiting from conflicts in the Middle East, such as those in the oil sector. However, he stated t...
Should climate policy be put on the back burner? Parliament wrangles over grid connection freeze
Dutch Members of Parliament are debating whether to scale back climate policies following reports that the power grid in parts of Utrecht can no longer accommodate new heat pumps or charging stations....
Cabinet to expand energy support package with cheaper public transport in summer
The Dutch cabinet is expanding its energy support package with the introduction of a 'Netherlands ticket,' allowing unlimited off-peak train travel for 49 euros per month this summer. This initiative,...
Cabinet wants cheaper train travel in summer months
The Dutch cabinet, led by Prime Minister Rob Jetten, intends to introduce cheaper off-peak train tickets during the upcoming summer months. This move, originally proposed by GroenLinks-PvdA, serves as...
Drop in economic confidence doesn't mean people are spending less yet
Dutch consumer confidence dropped significantly in April, reaching nearly its lowest level ever recorded. Despite this decline, consumer spending remains stable as many individuals report their person...
'Crying at the pump and laughing at the charger', EcoHeemskerk organizes energy-saving information evening
The sustainable energy association EcoHeemskerk is hosting an information evening focused on energy conservation and reducing reliance on fossil fuels. The event aims to educate the public on sustaina...
Opposition critical of energy package, divided on additional plans
Dutch opposition parties have expressed criticism towards the government's energy price compensation package. However, there is no consensus among these parties regarding which additional measures sho...
Zelensky calls progress on EU loan to Ukraine 'right signal'
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed satisfaction with the progress of a 90 billion euro EU support package for Ukraine after Hungary lifted its blockade. Zelensky stated that the developm...
Lufthansa grounds many aircraft in summer due to high fuel prices
Lufthansa is cancelling 20,000 short-haul flights through October to mitigate rising fuel costs. The German airline reports that aviation fuel prices have doubled since the start of the conflict in Ir...
Ryanair passengers must check in earlier due to airport crowds
Starting this fall, Ryanair passengers checking in luggage must do so 20 minutes earlier to avoid missing flights due to long airport queues. The budget airline introduced this measure because congest...