Business Survey Netherlands (COEN)
Every quarter year, the Conjunctuurenquête Nederland questions entrepreneurs on topics that concern them. Topics such as turnover developments, profitability, investments, and staff. Included are questions about experiences in the past quarter and expectations for the current quarter. The business confidence survey combines various of these topics to identify an overall sentiment. It is available for the whole of the Netherlands, all business sectors, regions, and company sizes.
Business survey - 3rd quarter of 2026
Business sentiment improved markedly in the 3rd quarter of 2026, with confidence rising across most sectors after reaching its lowest level since 2022 in the previous quarter. Although overall confidence remains below the long-term average and is still negative, businesses are generally optimistic about sales prices, turnover, personnel, purchase orders, and investments. At the same time, they remain slightly pessimistic about the business climate. Labour shortages continue to be the most common challenge, affecting nearly one-third of businesses, while insufficient demand and financial limitations also weigh on performance. One-third of business owners report no significant obstacles to their operations.
Business confidence has been negative for the 19th consecutive quarter, standing at -5.3 in the 3rd quarter of 2026. This represents a sharp rise compared with the previous quarter (-14.8), when business confidence fell sharply to its lowest level since 2022. But, business confidence remains below the average (-3.8) for the series dating from 2012. Business confidence has not risen so sharply since mid-2021. In the 3rd quarter of 2026, business confidence increased in all business sectors except the sector Sale and repair of motor vehicles. Business confidence is now positive in the information and communication sector and virtually neutral in the culture, sports and recreation sector, but remains negative in the other business sectors.
Business confidence has been negative for the 19th consecutive quarter, standing at -5.3 in the 3rd quarter of 2026. This represents a sharp rise compared with the previous quarter (-14.8), when business confidence fell sharply to its lowest level since 2022. But, business confidence remains below the average (-3.8) for the series dating from 2012. Business confidence has not risen so sharply since mid-2021. In the 3rd quarter of 2026, business confidence increased in all business sectors except the sector Sale and repair of motor vehicles. Business confidence is now positive in the information and communication sector and virtually neutral in the culture, sports and recreation sector, but remains negative in the other business sectors.
On balance, business owners are optimistic about sales prices/rates (16.4%), turnover (2.9%), personnel (7.4%), purchase orders (3.5%) and investments (4.3%) in the 3rd quarter of 2026. On balance, business owners are pessimistic about the business climate (-1.9%).
On balance, business owners are optimistic about sales prices/rates (16.4%), turnover (2.9%), personnel (7.4%), purchase orders (3.5%) and investments (4.3%) in the 3rd quarter of 2026. On balance, business owners are pessimistic about the business climate (-1.9%).
32.8% of business owners are experiencing a labour shortage. Other obstacles include insufficient demand (18.9%), financial limitations (11.9%), a shortage production, materials and space (6.8%), weather conditions (9.1%) or other reasons (15.7%). 33.3% of business owners do not face any obstacles.
32.8% of business owners are experiencing a labour shortage. Other obstacles include insufficient demand (18.9%), financial limitations (11.9%), a shortage production, materials and space (6.8%), weather conditions (9.1%) or other reasons (15.7%). 33.3% of business owners do not face any obstacles.
The various obstacles now add up to more than 100%. Entrepreneurs can give a maximum of 2 answers to the obstacle question, and previously the total percentage was normalised to 100%. This is no longer done, so that the percentage represents the share of entrepreneurs who selected this obstacle.
View the full report
View the report containing a detailed description of the results (in Dutch).