The Dutch economy in a nutshell
The Netherlands is one of the world’s fifteen biggest economies. Thanks to its strategic location bordering the North Sea, it is a European transportation hub. Nowadays it is an important centre for multinationals. This also explains why imports from Asia, in particular, through the ports of Rotterdam and Amsterdam, account for a considerable share of Dutch trade.
Services account for about half the national income: over 70% of the working population works in the service sector. Transportation, distribution, logistics and financial areas, such as banking and insurance, are the most essential services. Industrial activity generates more than a third of the gross domestic product and it is dominated by the metalworking, oil refining, chemical and food processing industries.
Growing and lucrative sectors
- The main industrial activities are food processing, chemicals, petroleum refining and electrical machinery.
- The agricultural sector employs only 4% of the labour force but provides large surpluses for the food-processing industry and for exports.
- The Netherlands also has a long tradition of shipbuilding.
Exports: 232.8 billion euros
- Commodities: machinery and equipment, chemicals, fuels and foodstuffs
- Main trading partners: Germany 25%, Belgium 12.6%, UK 10.1%, France 9.8%, Italy 6% and the USA 4.2%
Exports: 232.8 billion euros
- Commodities: machinery and equipment, chemicals, fuels and foodstuffs
- Main trading partners: Germany 25%, Belgium 12.6%, UK 10.1%, France 9.8%, Italy 6% and the USA 4.2%
Exports: 232.8 billion euros
- Commodities: machinery and equipment, chemicals, fuels and foodstuffs
- Main trading partners: Germany 25%, Belgium 12.6%, UK 10.1%, France 9.8%, Italy 6% and the USA 4.2%
Imports: 205.5 billion euros
- Commodities: machinery and transport equipment, chemicals, fuels; foodstuffs and clothing
- Main trading partners: Germany 17.7%, Belgium 10.2%, USA 7.8%, China 7.1%, UK 6.6% and France 4.9%
Useful facts
GDP: 453,795 million euros
Growth rate of GDP: 1.2%
Inflation rate: 1.4%
Labour force: 7.53 million
Unemployment rate: 6%
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