Netherlands: Millions can’t pay for energy bills, urgent expenses as inflation dents more households
The high inflation is now also affecting middle-income households in the Netherlands as more and more families struggle to pay their energy bills, buy food, and refuel their cars without dipping into their savings.
Central planning office CPB reported on Thursday that 1.2 million households would face financial problems if the energy- and fuel prices stay this high or increase even further. That is about 15 percent of all Dutch households. About a quarter of households don't have enough savings to get them through more than three months with extra costs, the CPB said.
Low-income households have struggled with the increasing prices from the start, prompting the government to step in and offer some compensation for the high energy bills. But more and more households from the middle-class are now also struggling to get through the month, RTL Nieuws reports after surveying over 3,000 Netherlands residents.
Most respondents who earn up to 2.5 times the average reported that their housing costs and energy bills have increased. They also mentioned higher food prices. Some are facing difficult choices. "Swimming lessons and sports clubs have been canceled," one respondent said. People have also canceled or postponed family visits due to the petrol prices or are skimping on healthcare costs.