The Dutch are becoming more optimistic about their country, with 32% in a poll of almost 1,000 saying they are pleased with the progress being made, the government’s socio-cultural advisory agency said on Tuesday.

That represents an increase of eight percentage points on a year ago and is the highest figure since the SCP began regular monitoring of attitudes in 2008.
Some 58% of the panel have faith in the political system and 52% in the government itself, which represents a return to the high levels of 2008, the SCP says.
Attitudes towards immigrants are also improving, the SCP says. Some 56% of the panel now think there is too much negativity about immigrants with just 9% disagreeing. However, 54% think the Netherlands is losing its own distinctive character and 52% think too much attention is paid to what immigrants say.
Related links
The 2011 first quarter report