Confidence in parliament dips to 10-year low
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Loading... - Marin Pancho
- 12 May 2023
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According to the latest report by Statistics Netherlands (CBS), the level of trust in political institutions among Netherlands residents has hit an all-time low. The report reveals that only 25 percent of the country's citizens had confidence in the Tweede Kamer, the lower house of the Dutch parliament, during the last quarter of 2022. This marks the lowest level of confidence since CBS began tracking this data in 2002. Furthermore, trust in politicians and other political institutions remains very low.
Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, in the first quarter of 2020, the figures for trust in politicians and the Tweede Kamer were 31 percent and 44 percent, respectively. However, during the early days of the pandemic, these figures rose to 44 percent and 58 percent, respectively. Unfortunately, they have since declined, and in the last quarter of 2022, only 21 percent of Netherlands residents trusted politicians, the lowest level in five years.
On a positive note, the report states that trust in other people has gradually increased over the past decade, rising from 48 percent in 2012 to 66 percent in 2022. Moreover, Netherlands residents have a high level of confidence in healthcare (78 percent), the police and judges (77 percent), and the army (64 percent). Trust in these institutions has also slightly increased over the past ten years.
When it comes to trust in institutions, the report reveals that about half of Netherlands residents have confidence in the European Union and their city council, while only 30 percent trust churches. The report also highlights a correlation between education and trust levels. Those with higher education are more likely to trust people and political institutions. For instance, last year, 40 percent of people with only primary education had faith in their fellow human beings, compared to 89 percent with a university education. However, there are no differences in trust levels towards private institutions such as banks and large companies, regardless of education level.
