KVK Trend Report Q2 2026: More starters in 10 out of 12 provinces

Following the rise in the first quarter of 2026, the number of starters continued to increase in the second quarter compared with the same period a year earlier. In virtually all provinces, there were more starters per 10,000 inhabitants. The strongest growth was seen in Groningen (+14%) and Drenthe (+12%). Only in Zeeland and North Brabant did the number of start-ups fall slightly, by 2%.

Entrepreneurship is spreading ever more widely across the Netherlands

Erik Stam, professor at Utrecht University: “It is striking that the growth in the number of starters is spreading across the whole of the Netherlands. A particularly strong rise can be seen in the north-east, especially in sectors such as IT, specialised provision of services, construction, and education. Groningen is emerging as a new economic driver in this regard.”

Noord-Holland has the most starters per inhabitant

With 43 starters per 10,000 inhabitants, Noord-Holland once again had the highest number of new businesses per inhabitant. Zuid-Holland and Flevoland followed with 35 start-ups per 10,000 inhabitants. In Drenthe, this figure was the lowest, at 23 start-ups per 10,000 inhabitants. Measured by the total number of starters, almost a quarter come from Zuid-Holland (24%), followed by Noord-Holland (23%). Of all starters, 79% are zzp'ers (self-employed professionals without staff).

Number of business closures continues to fall

The number of business closures fell by 9.2% compared with the second quarter of 2025. This continues the downward trend seen in the first quarter of this year. In all provinces, the number of business closures per 10,000 inhabitants was lower than a year earlier. The sharpest decline was seen in Flevoland (-17%) and Drenthe (-15%). As in previous quarters, the highest number of business closures was in Zuid-Holland and Noord-Holland. Noord-Holland also had the highest number of business closures per 10,000 inhabitants. This figure was lowest in Drenthe.

Fewer bankruptcies

The number of bankruptcies also fell. In the second quarter of 2026, 813 businesses went bankrupt. A year earlier, the figure was 932. This represents a fall of 12.8%.

Growth mainly in provision of services

Most starters were established in the provision of professional services sector (17 per cent), followed by retail (14 per cent) and construction (11 per cent). Although the retail sector still accounts for a large number of new businesses, the number of starters in this sector fell compared with a year earlier.

Positive trend, challenges remain

More starters, fewer businesses closing down, and fewer bankruptcies are ensuring that the number of businesses in the Netherlands continues to grow. This is a positive development. At the same time, many entrepreneurs are still facing economic uncertainty and a shortage of staff.

Renewed optimism among business owners

“The latest figures from the KVK reveal a striking degree of optimism. After the number of businesses closing down rose and the number of starters fell last year, we are now seeing more starters again, along with fewer closures and fewer bankruptcies. The increased stability in domestic politics seems to be outweighing the geopolitical uncertainty,” says Stam.

KVK Trend Report second quarter 2026 (PDF, in Dutch)