Economy News in English
Latest economy headlines from Dutch news, translated into English.
Diesel is flowing from the pump for less than 2 euros per liter again here and there
The price of diesel has fallen below 2 euros per liter at some locations in the Netherlands. This follows a significant price increase that occurred after the outbreak of conflict in the Middle East.
Sales of new owner-occupied homes fall sharply
The sale of new owner-occupied homes in the Netherlands has declined for the third consecutive quarter. During the first three months of this year, only 5,126 new properties were sold.
EasyJet agrees to takeover bid from investment firm
British airline easyJet has agreed in principle to a new acquisition bid from investment firm Castlelake. Previous takeover attempts by the investment company had been rejected by the airline.
Number of new-build homes sold drops sharply
New-build home sales in the Netherlands declined by 19 percent in the first quarter of 2025 compared to the same period the previous year. This data was released by the national statistics office CBS ...
The pear has an image problem: ‘When you think of a poke bowl, you think of mango, why not pear?’
Pears are facing a significant decline in popularity among younger consumers and families, leading to concerns about market consumption. This issue is not limited to the Netherlands but is a broader t...
Cutting prize money: is it really necessary, Kim Lammers wonders
The ATP is considering significant changes to the men's doubles format at Wimbledon, including a reduction in participants and prize money starting in 2028. These proposed adjustments aim to reallocat...
Dutch employees need an average of 13.7 days of vacation to recover from work
Recent research indicates that Dutch employees require an average of 13.7 days of vacation to fully recover from work. The study notes that the ease of detaching from work varies by individual and dep...
Netherlands not yet prepared for extreme heat as the new normal
The eleven-day heatwave in June, which caused event cancellations, school closures, and train disruptions, highlighted that the Netherlands is currently ill-prepared for extreme heat events. The artic...
Richard grows with Gobanna at the port of IJmuiden: I don't need a prime location because customers come here specifically to visit
Richard van Leeuwen transitioned from a career as a civil servant to founding Gobanna, a successful company specializing in the production of compact, custom-made caravans. Despite operating from a sh...
Power temporarily cut in Tilburg due to risk of overload
Approximately 18,000 customers in the Tilburg region experienced a brief power outage on Sunday morning. Grid operator Enexis intentionally shut down power to prevent the electricity network from beco...
Oil cartel OPEC+ increases oil production again in August
Seven member countries of the OPEC+ oil cartel have decided to increase oil production by 188,000 barrels per day in August. This follows similar production quota increases that were implemented for b...
Dirty water and crowds: nitrogen not the only cause of poor nature
The Dutch government is implementing strict nitrogen measures to address the decline of natural areas. However, experts emphasize that nitrogen reduction is only one part of the solution and further a...
HR department has something ‘fun’ for Katinka (51): ‘I thought it was a summer bonus, but it wasn’t’
Katinka, a 51-year-old employee, shares her negative experience regarding a mandatory company sports day. She recounts feeling overwhelmed by emotions after an unpleasant interaction with her HR depar...
New rules could cost surviving relatives thousands of euros in pension: 'Those who don't arrange this in time leave their partner with a major shortfall'
New pension regulations in the Netherlands require couples to take proactive steps to secure their survivor's pension. Failure to prepare under the new system could result in significant financial los...
The Greenhouse | All the climate underdogs turn out to be quite significant together after all
In his weekly column, climate reporter Jeroen Kraan reflects on the role of the Netherlands in the global climate crisis. Despite the country's relatively small share of worldwide CO2 emissions, he ex...
Where can entrepreneurs and recreationists go now that the Alkmaarder- and Uitgeestermeer Recreation Board is dissolving? Three questions and answers
The recreational board Recreatieschap Alkmaarder- en Uitgeestermeer (RAUM) is set to be dissolved following a recent decision. Stakeholders and business owners are now seeking clarity on which organiz...
The two faces of the ANWB: ten thousand volunteers and a CEO earning 600,000 euros
The ANWB, an organization with over 5 million members in the Netherlands, is facing scrutiny over its business model and executive compensation. Despite generating significant revenue and profits, que...
Netherlands seeks delay in EU environmental rules for gas imports over shortage fears
The Netherlands is calling for a delay in the implementation of strict new EU environmental regulations on natural gas imports. This request follows warnings from oil companies and the United States r...
Opinion: Using data centers for the energy transition? We live in Amsterdam, not in the pipe dreams of Sam Altman or Jeff Bezos
Key fish species thriving. Biologists recommend higher catch quotas
Biologists report that key fish species such as North Sea sole, plaice, and herring are thriving in the North Sea. Consequently, they recommend increasing the permitted catch limits for these species ...
Motorists pay through the nose for gas despite falling oil prices: here is why
Despite falling global oil prices and de-escalation in the Strait of Hormuz, fuel prices for motorists in the Netherlands continue to rise. Experts warn that consumers will not benefit from lower oil ...
110,000 euro bonus for Tata management sparks storm of reactions, including from employees: 'Three more years of being demotivated working for those greedy suits, I'm counting down the days'
A recent survey indicates that 92 percent of respondents believe Tata Steel directors should return a 110,000 euro bonus. Employees and the public have expressed significant criticism, describing the ...
Screen time | Let celebrities decide for themselves if they want to live on digitally
Tech reporter Rutger Otto explores the ethical debate surrounding the digital resurrection of deceased celebrities. He questions whether surviving relatives should have the authority to decide if a pu...
ANWB: nearly half of Dutch people not going on vacation this summer
According to research by the ANWB, 52 percent of the Dutch population plans to go on vacation this summer. This figure indicates a continued decline in holiday travel compared to previous years, with ...
May we buy your land? The hunt for campsites to turn into luxury parks is in full swing, but who benefits?
Real estate developers are actively pursuing owners of traditional campgrounds in the Netherlands to purchase their land for multi-million euro deals. The proposed plan involves redeveloping these sit...
More first-time buyers in Velsen can access starter loans as fund is increased to 3 million euros
The municipal council of Velsen has unanimously decided to replenish the fund for starter loans to a maximum of 3 million euros. This initiative aims to provide ongoing financial support for first-tim...
Many young adults have no room to think about the future: 'They are growing up in a financially toxic environment'
Uproar over German plan for mandatory doctor's notes for sick employees
The German government is facing significant criticism over a proposal that would require employees to obtain a doctor's note on their first day of illness to reduce absenteeism. General practitioners ...
BMW concerned about illegal 'bootleg' BMWs built in Russia
BMW has issued a warning regarding the unauthorized production of vehicles in Russia using abandoned parts and locally sourced materials. These so-called 'bootleg BMWs' are being assembled by former e...
Strait of Hormuz just safe enough to let oil prices fall
Oil prices have declined as shipping traffic gradually resumes through the Strait of Hormuz. Despite this improvement, the region remains marked by significant security risks and ongoing uncertainty f...