The Dutch economy is expected to expand by 1.7% this year, a pace “remarkably higher” than the 1.1% forecast in the spring, the country’s central bank said Friday.
De Nederlandsche Bank said trade growth and government spending are driving the expansion despite global uncertainty.
President Olaf Sleijpen told reporters that world trade has accelerated, benefiting the Netherlands’ open economy, while government employment has grown faster than anticipated.
Statistics Netherlands reported exports rose 5.6% in October from a year earlier.
Sleijpen said companies have been bringing forward transactions in anticipation of higher tariffs, adding that trade flows are undergoing structural shifts.
Growth is projected to slow to 1.2% in 2026 and 1.1% in 2027 as businesses face policy uncertainty and domestic bottlenecks, including nitrogen limits, a congested electricity grid and a tight labor market.
Sleijpen said a new cabinet could help by tackling key issues, ensuring predictable policy, strengthening competitiveness and maintaining sound public finances.