A growing number of people in the Netherlands think the country is “heading in the wrong direction” and feel powerless and frustrated by both society and politics, the government’s socio-cultural think tank SCP says in a new report.

The research, part of a long-running SCP project, highlights what it calls a general feeling of pessimism within the country. Many respondents believe the political system is dysfunctional, Dutch culture is under pressure, income inequality is growing and society is becoming more polarised.

Six in ten people said they struggle to feel hopeful about the world, citing the wars in Gaza and Ukraine, climate change and the unpredictability of leaders such as Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin.

Trust in politicians is low, with respondents saying they are frustrated by the lack of progress, the constant disputes between parties and the perception that no one takes responsibility. “A bunch of amateurs who take no responsibility,” said one participant. Another called politics “a complete mess.”

“People feel they can do little to influence the negative consequences of domestic and international developments,” said SCP researcher Josje den Ridder. “They believe the government could tackle these issues, but doesn’t – or does the wrong things. As a result, some people disengage completely and stop voting.”

At the same time, 71% said they are satisfied with how democracy itself functions, particularly because of the right to vote, the variety of political parties and freedom of expression.

The SCP has been carrying out this research since 2008, and Den Ridder says the pattern is similar.

“People think things used to be better and are getting worse,” she told the NRC. “What they believe about politics and society is largely shaped by what they see in the media. They mainly see where things are going wrong and where there are threats.”

What still unites people across the political spectrum, she said, is the “belief that politicians should argue less and work together more to solve the country’s problems.”