Low trust in Dutch politics, higher confidence in the EU
Public trust in Dutch politicians and the House of Representatives fell to its lowest level since records began in 2012, according to new figures released by Statistics Netherlands (CBS).
The overall picture shows mounting pressure on confidence in national politics, while European and especially local institutions are gaining credibility among many Dutch citizens. The findings are based on the Social Cohesion and Well‑being survey, in which more than 7,600 people took part.
Decline in national politics
Only 21 percent of respondents say they trust politicians, while 25 percent express confidence in the House of Representatives.
This marks a sharp decline compared with 2020, the first year of the COVID‑19 pandemic, when trust in both politicians and parliament reached a peak. At that time, almost 40 percent trusted politicians and more than half had confidence in parliament. Since then, trust has fallen almost every year, interrupted only by a brief uptick in 2024. Despite the downward trend, levels of trust in Dutch politics remain relatively high compared with other European countries.
Young versus old
Trust levels differ significantly between age groups. Young people aged 15 to 25 are the most trusting of political institutions, while those aged 65 to 75 are the most critical. According to CBS, this is linked to political experience. Younger people have generally witnessed fewer major political events and therefore form less fixed opinions, while older generations are more likely to have experienced political disappointments that shape a more sceptical outlook.
Greater confidence in the EU
The picture is more positive when it comes to other levels of governance. Around half of the Dutch population expresses trust in civil servants and in the European Union. Confidence in the EU has been rising since 2023, while trust in civil servants and municipal councils has been increasing since 2022. In 2025, nearly 55 percent of people said they trust their local council.
Regional differences across the Netherlands
Trust also varies widely by region. The lowest levels are found in the northeast of the country. In areas such as East Groningen and parts of Drenthe, only about one‑third of residents trusted political institutions between 2016 and 2025. In the Randstad and nearby regions, including Het Gooi and the urban areas around The Hague and Leiden, confidence levels are significantly higher, at around 45 percent.
