Purchasing power of Dutch households rises by 1.2 percent on average

The purchasing power of Dutch households increased by an average of 1.2 percent in 2025. This growth was particularly notable for working households, which saw an average rise of 2.2 percent, largely driven by wage increases that outpaced the 3.3 percent inflation rate. Consequently, over six out of ten households experienced a financial improvement during the year. Factors such as changing job roles or adjusting working hours also influenced these individual financial outcomes.

In contrast, the growth in purchasing power was more limited for pensioners and self-employed individuals. This stagnation was influenced by specific tax adjustments, including a reduction in general tax credits and a lack of significant increases in labor tax credits. Furthermore, self-employed workers faced additional financial pressure due to the scaling back of the self-employed deduction and profit exemptions for small and medium-sized enterprises. Overall, while many experienced gains, nearly four out of ten households saw a decline in purchasing power due to factors like reduced working hours or temporary unemployment.