Exports increased by 0.5 per cent compared with Q2, with machinery and transport equipment exports rising in particular. Imports of goods and services grew at a slower rate, raising the trade balance, defined as exports minus imports, CBS said in its press release.
Government consumption rose by 0.4 per cent in the quarter while household consumption also increased by 0.4 per cent as spending on food and clothing rose. Investment fell by 0.1 per cent.
The Dutch economy grew 0.6 per cent quarter on quarter in Q3 2026, driven by exports and consumption, while investment declined 0.1 per cent, according to CBS.
Year on year, GDP rose 2.1 per cent, supported by household spending and the trade balance.
Manufacturing made the largest sectoral contribution to quarterly growth.
On the production side, value added grew most in mining and quarrying, up 6.9 per cent. Manufacturing value added increased by 2.7 per cent, but the sector made the largest contribution to GDP growth because of its economic weight, with significant growth in machinery.
Compared with Q3 2025, Dutch GDP was 2.1 per cent higher in Q3 2026, with household consumption and the trade balance contributing most to growth. Public consumption rose by 2.0 per cent year on year, household consumption by 1.8 per cent and investments by 0.8 per cent, CBS observed.
Exports rose by 2.7 per cent year on year, while imports by value grew by 2.2 per cent, so the trade balance also made a positive contribution to annual growth. By sector, manufacturing and the combined group of trade, accommodation and food services, transport and storage made the largest contribution to growth compared with Q3 2025.
Fibre2Fashion News Desk (CG)
