The positive news about the Dutch economy is reflected in the confidence expressed by consumers and producers. After a dip last fall, consumer confidence in September started to approach the all time record level. There was a big leap in confidence about the economic climate. Producer confidence likewise went up. In August the greatest increase since March 1994 was observed.
Registered unemployment continues to fall.
The number of bankruptcies pronounced in August of enterprises and institutions was higher than last year's figure. However, the bankruptcy figure for the first eight months of 1999 was lower. Not in keeping with the good news is the inflation figure, which is now the highest in the European Union. The long-term interest rate is rising fast. The balance of positive and negative answers went from 16 to 23.