Netherlands faces persistent energy poverty for half a million households

Around 500,000 Dutch households – roughly 6 % of all homes – remain in energy poverty, a share that has stayed unchanged from the previous year. The latest figures from the national statistics office (CBS) and research institute TNO show that the average annual shortfall for these households rose from €577 in 2024 to €624 in 2025, meaning families on low incomes need an extra €256 million to cover the gap completely.

Average monthly energy costs rose to €181 across all households and to €188 for those in energy poverty, representing 11.5 % of their income. The number of low‑income families struggling with high energy bills climbed to 410,000, while the share of households in poorly insulated homes declined. Energy poverty is most common in large cities, the north‑east province of Groningen and the south‑east province of Limburg.

The rise follows the end of temporary government compensation measures that had previously helped reduce the share of households in energy poverty. Policy makers are assessing whether the existing €200 million emergency energy fund will be sufficient to alleviate the shortfall.