For the first time in 10 years there are more positive than negative people in the Netherlands, the government’s socio-cultural advisory body SCP said on Friday.

Some 49% of the population now feel the Netherlands is heading in the right direction, compared with 35% in the final quarter of last year, said the SCP, which publishes a ‘state of the nation report’ every three months.

Confidence in the legal system, in parliament and in the government has all risen as well.

People are also more positive about the economy although 12% still consider poverty the biggest problem facing the country. In the final quarter of last year, 7% said poverty was the main issue.

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