Holland Compared

Source: FloraHolland

The Netherlands

General information

• The Netherlands – the Gateway to Europe.

• Geographically small

– 134th position in the world.

• Densely populated country with 16.8 million people

– 61st position worldwide.

• Around 32% of the Netherlands' GDP

derived from activities beyond its borders.

• Strategic central location – 160 million consumers

(half of the EU) within a 300-mile (482.8 km) radius.

Capital: Amsterdam Currency: Euro (€) North-South 200 miles/321.9 km West-East 100 miles/160.9 km Area: 16,000 square miles or 33,800 km² Population: 16.8 million

Amsterdam

Attractive place to live

IMD, 2013. Quality of life

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Netherlands

Finland

Belgium

Luxembourg

Sweden

Germany

Denmark

Austria

Switzerland

Norway

Population by age

Statistics Netherlands, 2013. Population by age (2012)

23%

33%

28%

12%

4%

0-19

20-44

45-64

65-79

older than 79

One of the most competitive economies

World Economic Forum, 2013. Global Competitiveness 2013 - 2014

0 1 2 3 4 5 6

Switzerland

Singapore

Finland

Germany

United States

Sweden

Hong Kong, China

Netherlands

Japan

United Kingdom

Macroindicators

Source: Rijkswaterstaat

Sixth-largest EU Economy

Eurostat, 2013. Gross Domestic Product (2012) in billions of euros

0 500 1.000 1.500 2.000 2.500 3.000

Germany

France

United Kingdom

Italy

Spain

Netherlands

Sweden

Poland

Belgium

Austria

High average income

OECD, 2013. GDP per capita in thousands of US dollars, corrected for purchasing power parity (2012, *=2011).

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90

Luxembourg

Switzerland

United States*

Austria

Ireland

Sweden

Netherlands

Denmark

Germany

EU-27

High productivity per hour

The Conference Board and Groningen Growth and Development Centre, 2013.

GDP per hour in US dollars (2012)

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80

Luxembourg

Norway

United States

Belgium

Netherlands

France

Ireland

Germany

Sweden

Austria

Prosperous, sustainable and enterprising

Eurostat, 2013. Average real GDP growth rate (2006 – 2012)

0,0 0,5 1,0 1,5 2,0 2,5

Switzerland

Sweden

Germany

Austria

Belgium

Netherlands

Finland

United States

France

EU-27

%

Moderate inflation

Eurostat, 2013. Average annual price increases (2006 – 2012)

0,0 0,5 1,0 1,5 2,0 2,5

Switzerland

Ireland

Sweden

Netherlands

Germany

France

Euro area

Austria

Denmark

United States

%

High labour participation rate

OECD, 2013. Ratio of total employment to the population of working age (2012)

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80

Switzerland

Netherlands

Sweden

Germany

Denmark

Austria

United Kingdom

Finland

United States

Luxemburg

France

Many part-time employees

OECD, 2013. Part-time work as a percentage of employment as a whole (2012)

0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40

Netherlands

Switzerland

Ireland

United Kingdom

Germany

Denmark

Austria

Belgium

Luxembourg

France

Relatively low unemployment

OECD, 2012. Average unemployment 2006-2012, as a percentage of the working population

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

Switzerland

Netherlands

Austria

Luxembourg

Denmark

United Kingdom

Germany

United States

Sweden

Finland

Trade and investment

Source: Europe Container Terminals BV, Rotterdam

Open economy

CPB, 2013. Dutch exports of goods and services as a proportion of GDP in %

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%

1970 1975 1980 1985 1995 2000 2005 2012

World's sixth-largest exporter of goods

ITC, 2013. Export value in billions of US dollars (2012)

0 400 800 1.200 1.600 2.000 2.400

Hong Kong, China

Italy

Russian Federation

South Korea

Netherlands

France

Japan

Germany

United States

China

Strong in agri-food production

ITC, 2013. Export value in billions of US dollars (2012)

0 50 100 150 200

France

Brazil

Germany

Netherlands

United States

Major importer of goods and services

ITC, 2013. Import value in billions of US dollars (2012)

0 500 1.000 1.500 2.000 2.500

United States

China

Germany

Japan

United Kingdom

France

Hong Kong, China

South Korea

Netherlands

India

Most significant trading partner: Western Europe

Statistics Netherlands, 2013. Destination of exports (2012)

78,4%

3,4%

5,1%

2,4%

1,4% 8,8% 0,6%

Europe

Africa

North America

Middle and South America

Near and Far East

Asia

Oceania

Gateway to Europe

Statistics Netherlands, 2013. Origin of imports (2012)

62,9%

3,4%

7,1%

4,4%

3,6%

18,2%

0,4%

Europe

Africa

North America

Middle and South-America

Near and Middle East

Asia

Oceania

Composition of export

Statistics Netherlands, 2013. Composition of exports (2012)

12%

2%

5%

19%

1%

18%

8%

25%

9% 1%

Food and livestock

Drinks and tobacco

Non-edible resources

Mineral fuels and oils

Oils and fats of animal andplant origin

Chemical products

Manufactured goods

Machinery andtransportation devices

Other manufactured goods

Others

Composition of import

Statistics Netherlands, 2013. Composition of imports (2012)

9%1%

4%

25%

1%

13%9%

28%

10% 0%

Food and livestock

Drinks and tobacco

Non-edible resources

Mineral fuels and oils

Oils and fats of animal andplant origin

Chemical products

Manufactured goods

Machinery andtransportation devices

Other manufactured goods

Others

Ninth-largest foreign investor in the world

UNCTAD, 2013. Outward FDI stocks in billions of US dollars (2012)

0 1.000 2.000 3.000 4.000 5.000 6.000

United States

China (including Hong Kong)

United Kingdom

Germany

France

Switzerland

Japan

Belgium

Netherlands

Canada

Attractive for inward foreign investments

UNCTAD, 2013. FDI stocks in billions of US dollars (2012)

0 200 400 600 800 1.000 1.200 1.400

United Kingdom

France

Belgium

Germany

Switzerland

Spain

Netherlands

Russian Federation

Sweden

Ireland

Top Sectors in Focus

Top Sectors• Agriculture and Food• Chemical Industry• Creative Industries• Energy• High Tech Systems and Materials• Horticulture• Life Sciences• Logistics• Water

Agriculture & Food Sector

Source: Nuon / Jorrit Lousberg

Source: DAF Trucks NV Source: Vereniging FME-CWM

Agriculture & Food SectorWorld-leading supplier of agro-food products

• Holland is the world's 2nd largest exporter of agricultural products, after the USA. Together with the USA and France, Holland is one of the top 3 exporters of vegetables and fruit.

• The total value of Dutch agricultural exports was 75.4 billion Euros in 2012. The Dutch agro-food industry contributed 52.5 billion Euros of added value to Dutch GDP.

• The Netherlands is responsible for 22% of the world’s potato exports. The Netherlands has the second highest private R&D investment (as % of GDP) in agro-food in Europe.

• Four of the world's top 25 food and beverage companies are Dutch and 12 have

a major production site or R&D facilities in the Netherlands.

Chemical Sector

Source: Nuon / Jorrit Lousberg

Source: DAF Trucks NVSource: AkzoNobel

Chemical SectorChemical Portal to Europe

• The chemical industry is one of the leading business sectors in the Netherlands, making a significant contribution to the economy. In 2011, the turnover was 58 billion Euros.

• Holland is one of Europe's leading suppliers of chemical products and services.• The competitiveness of the Dutch chemical industry lies in its internal and inter-

company integration. Chemical companies work together on innovation and production, and take advantage of regional clustering.

• Holland hosts 19 of the world’s top 25 leading chemical companies, including AkzoNobel, BASF and Shell.

• Holland is also home to world-class R&D institutes for fundamental and applied research such as TNO, Delft University, Twente University, Wageningen University and Eindhoven University.

Creative Industries

Source: DAF Trucks NVSource: Bavaria N.V.

Creative IndustriesMasters in architecture, design, fashion and gaming

• Holland’s creative industry ranks among the world’s top 10 in terms of trade

figures, jobs and registrations of brands and patterns. • The annual turnover of Dutch creative industries is 7.1 billion Euros.• Dutch architects are commissioned to design prestigious buildings around the

world such as the Mercedes Benz Museum in Stuttgart, the CCTV Headquarters

in Beijing and Battery Park in New York. Renowned Dutch architects/agencies

include Rem Koolhaas (OMA), Francine Houben (Mecanoo), Ben van Berkel and

Caroline Bos (UNStudio).• Holland has a long tradition of interior design, epitomized by Rietveld's furniture

designs. Marcel Wanders is currently one the world's best known furniture

designers.

Energy Sector

Source: Nuon / Jorrit Lousberg

Source: DAF Trucks NVSource: Heerema

Energy SectorInnovative, sustainable energy solutions

• 15 to 20% of the gas consumed in Europe comes from Holland. • The distribution network for gas is the densest in Europe and of a very high

standard. • The Dutch have unmatched capacity to cope with seasonal fluctuations in gas

demand, providing north-western Europe with much-needed flexibility. • Holland has an international reputation for research in renewable energy, due, in

part, to the work of the energy research centre ECN. • The Dutch have leading expertise in offshore wind energy, co-combustion of

biomass in coal-fired power plants, pre-treatment methods of biomass, the use of

landfill gas, and the use of heat pumps combined with heat and cold storage.

High Tech Sector

Source: ASML

High Tech SectorNew technologies for health, mobility, energy and security

• Holland's high-tech sector is a world leader in the development of new

technologies and materials for use in communication systems, aircraft and

automobiles, medical devices, energy generation and semiconductor production. • Dutch companies invented WiFi, the CD and the DVD. Bluetooth was invented by

Dutchman Jaap Haartsen. And high-tech equipment from Dutch companies are

used in 90% of all silicon chips produced worldwide. • The Netherlands ranks among the world's top 3 nano science countries, together

with Switzerland and the USA. MESA+, the institute for technology located at the

University of Twente, is one of the largest nanotechnology research institutes in

the world.

Horticulture Sector

Source: Nuon / Jorrit Lousberg

Source: DAF Trucks NV Source: Jan J. Guldemond

Horticulture SectorWorld's leading supplier of flowers, plants and trees

• A quarter of the world trade in horticultural products (24%) is in Dutch hands. Holland has a 50% share of the worldwide trade in floricultural products, making it the dominant global supplier of flowers and flower products. Some 80% of all flower bulbs traded worldwide come from the Netherlands, the majority of which are tulips.

• The sector is the number 3 exporter in nutritional horticulture products.• Dutch horticultural innovations include intelligent greenhouses that can float on

water, moving platforms, robots, innovative lighting, water and waste recycling, and greenhouses that generate more energy than they consume and thus contribute to a reduction in CO2. The current generation of greenhouses already generates approximately 10% of Holland’s power needs by using combined heat and power (CHP).

Life Sciences and Health Sector

Source: Nuon / Jorrit Lousberg

Source: DAF Trucks NV Source: Jan J. Guldemond

©Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.

Life Sciences and Health SectorHelping to advance health worldwide

• The Netherlands ranks 8th worldwide in life sciences and health patents.• With approximately 350 innovative life sciences companies clustered

within a 120 mile radius, Holland is the most geographically concentrated region in the world when it comes to creating economic and social value in Life Sciences and Health.

• The sector invests over 2 billion Euros in R&D in the Netherlands each year and is becoming a globally recognized stronghold of open innovation. It already accounts for 2.5% of GDP.

• Philips is the world leader in medical imaging and patient monitoring; DSM is a biomaterials leader.

Logistics sector

Source: Nuon / Jorrit Lousberg

Source: DAF Trucks NVSource: DAF Trucks N.V.

Logistics sectorStrategic gateway to Europe and the world

• The Netherlands was ranked 5th in the 2012 World Bank global Logistics Performance Index (based on terms of efficiency and effectiveness of its customs, quality of transport, IT infrastructure for logistics and ease and affordability of shipping).

• The Port of Rotterdam is the world’s fourth-largest and Europe’s largest port. From the Port of Rotterdam, all major industrial and economic centres in Western Europe can be reached in less than 24 hours.

• Amsterdam Schiphol Airport won two awards at the 2012 Asian Freight & Supply Chain Awards for best airport in Europe and the Best Air Cargo Terminal in Europe. In 2012, Schiphol also won the ‘ACI EUROPE Best Airport’ award for the third time.

Water Sector

Source: Nuon / Jorrit Lousberg

Source: DAF Trucks NVSource: Rijkswaterstaat

Water SectorWorld leaders in hydraulic engineering, water treatment and shipbuilding

• The Dutch are renowned for their integrated water management and multi-disciplinary approach that balances social, economic, environmental and engineering needs ('Building with Nature'). Dutch companies are involved in the sustainable development of low-lying urban agglomerations such as Jakarta and Bangladesh, and coastal development in areas such as Dubai, Vietnam and Romania.

• Two Dutch companies command half of the world's dredging market.• The Dutch Delta Works are listed in the Guinness Book of Records as the largest

flood defence project in the world. With almost 16,500 kilometres of dykes and 300 structures, the project is one of the most extensive engineering projects in the world.

• The Dutch invest heavily in innovation and R&D through public-private partnerships. These include renowned institutes such as Deltares, MARIN, Wetsus and KWR Watercycle Research Institute.

Human capital and innovation

Source: Jeroen Verreijt / Dutch Polymere Institute

Well-educated working population

OECD, 2012. Percentage of population (25-64 years old) that has attained upper secondary education (2010)

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90

United States

Sweden

Switzerland

Germany

Finland

Austria

Denmark

United Kingdom

Ireland

Netherlands

Dutch schoolchildren are second in the EU

OECD, 2013. PISA score points, OECD average = 497(2012)

Human Development Index 2012

United Nations Development Programme, 2013.

Human Development Index (2012)

0,890 0,900 0,910 0,920 0,930 0,940 0,950 0,960

Norway

Australia

United States

Netherlands

Germany

New Zealand

Ireland

Sweden

Switzerland

Japan

Entrepreneurs create dynamism

Statistics Netherlands, 2012. Number of entrepreneurs as a percentage of the working population (2009)

0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16

Australia

Canada

Netherlands

Belgium

EU-27

Ireland

United Kingdom

Germany

Finland

United States

Well-developed ICT infrastructure

World Economic Forum, 2013. The Networked Readiness Index (2013)

0 1 2 3 4 5 6

Finland

Singapore

Sweden

Netherlands

Norway

Switzerland

United Kingdom

Denmark

United States

Taiwan

Global Innovation Index: fourth position

INSEAD, 2013 Global Innovation Index (2013)

Modest R&D expenditure

Eurostat, 2013. R&D expenditures as percentage of GDP (2012, *=2011)

0,0 0,5 1,0 1,5 2,0 2,5 3,0 3,5 4,0

Finland

Sweden

Denmark

Germany

Austria

United States*

France

Belgium

Netherlands

United Kingdom

Home-grown knowledge multinationals

Technisch Weekblad, 2013.

0 100 200 300 400 500 600 700 800

Philips

ASML

KPN

Shell*

Royal DSM

NXP Semiconductors

Unilever*

Océ-Technologies

DAF Trucks

AkzoNobel

* Estimation Technisch Weekblad.

R&D expenditures in million Euros (2012)

0 500 1.000 1.500 2.000 2.500 3.000 3.500 4.000 4.500

Philips

ASML

KPN

Shell*

Royal DSM

NXP Semiconductors

Unilever*

Océ-Technologies

DAF Trucks

AkzoNobel

* Estimation Technisch Weekblad.

R&D workforce in FTE (2012)

Large base of knowledge and research

Technisch Weekblad, 2013.

0 100 200 300 400 500 600

TNO

ECN

Deltares

FOM

ESTEC

NLR

MESA+

MARIN

NEN

UNESCO-IHE

Turnover or budget in million Euros (2012)

0 500 1.000 1.500 2.000 2.500 3.000 3.500 4.000

TNO

ECN

Deltares

FOM

ESTEC

NLR

MESA+

MARIN

NEN

UNESCO-IHE

Workforce in FTE (2012)

Refreshing business approach

World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), 2013.

Number of PCT patent applications (2012)

0 10.000 20.000 30.000 40.000 50.000 60.000

United States

Japan

Germany

China

South Korea

France

United Kingdom

Switzerland

Netherlands

Sweden

Dutch scientists frequently cited

WTI2, 2012; Data processing: NL Agency, 2012.

Average number of citations compared to the world average (2006 – 2009)

1,0 1,1 1,2 1,3 1,4

Switzerland

Denmark

Netherlands

United States

United Kingdom

Sweden

Belgium

Canada

Ireland

Norway

Infrastructure

Source: Amsterdam Airport Schiphol

Navigable inland waterways

IMD, 2013. Quality of water transportation (harbours, canals, locks, etc.) (2013)

8,0 8,2 8,4 8,6 8,8 9,0 9,2 9,4

Denmark

Netherlands

Hong Kong, China

Singapore

Finland

Germany

Iceland

Sweden

Norway

Canada

Good at logistics

World Bank, 2012. Logistics Performance Index (2012)

3,7 3,8 3,9 4,0 4,1 4,2

Singapore

Hong Kong, China

Finland

Germany

Netherlands

Denmark

Belgium

Japan

United States

United Kingdom

Third-largest cargo airport in Europe

Schiphol Group, 2013.

0 500 1.000 1.500 2.000 2.500

Frankfurt

Paris Charles deGaulle

Amsterdam AirportSchiphol

London Heathrow

Leipzig

Cologne Bonn

Freight handled in 1000 tons (2012)

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80

London Heathrow

Paris Charles deGaulle

Frankfurt

Amsterdam AirportSchiphol

Madrid

Istanbul

Millions of passengers (2012)

Largest port in Europe

Port of Rotterdam, 2013 and Hafen Hamburg, 2013.

0 100 200 300 400 500

Rotterdam

Antwerp

Hamburg

Trans-shipment in million tonnes (2012)

0 2 4 6 8 10 12

Rotterdam

Antwerp

Hamburg

Containers in thousand TEUs (2012)

Leading the field in broadband

OECD, 2013. Number of broadband connections per hundred inhabitants (2012)

0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45

Switzerland

Netherlands

Denmark

South Korea

Norway

France

Iceland

Germany

United Kingdom

Belgium

Government

Source: Hans Kouwenhoven

Effective government and good-quality service provision

World Bank, 2013. Average government effectiveness ranking (2011)

0 20 40 60 80 100

Finland

Denmark

Sweden

Canada

Netherlands

Australia

Belgium

Austria

United Kingdom

Germany

One of the least corrupt countries

Transparency International, 2013.

Score on the Corruption Perception Index (2013)

Moderate level of government debt

Eurostat, 2013. National debt as a percentage of GDP (first quarter 2013)

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100

Luxembourg

Sweden

Denmark

Finland

Netherlands

Austria

Germany

United Kingdom

France

Euro area

Competitive taxation climate

IMD, 2013. Maximum tax rate, calculated on profit before tax

0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35

Ireland

Switzerland

Sweden

United Kingdom

Austria

Denmark

Finland

Netherlands

Luxembourg

Germany

%

Explanatory notesThis publication is intended to provide a concise and representative picture of the state of the Dutch economy. Every attempt has been made to select indicators carefully and judiciously from internationally renowned and reliable sources. In the case of most of the indicators, the Dutch economy has been compared with surrounding countries (such as Belgium, Denmark, Germany, the UK and Switzerland, many of which are similar in terms of their economic structures), and the United States. Comparisons have also been made, in a number of instances, with other countries, such as with various global rankings.

More information:NL Agency www.hollandtrade.com or www.agentschapnl.nl madeinholland@info.agentschapnl.nl

Economic editor:Ron Hogenboom

ron.hogenboom@agentschapnl.nl