Netherlands

Netherlands Overview

The Netherlands has a market economy, but the state traditionally has been a significant participant in such fields as transportation, resource extraction, and heavy industry. The government also employs a substantial percentage of the total labour force and effects investment policy. Nonetheless, during the 1980s, when the ideological climate favoured market economics, considerable privatization was initiated, government economic intervention was reduced, and the welfare state was restructured. State-owned companies such as DSM (Dutch State Mines) and KLM (Royal Dutch Airlines) were among those privatized. Nonetheless, the Netherlands has, relatively speaking, a highly regulated mixed economy.

Since World War II, economic development has been consciously stimulated by government policy, and state subsidies have been granted to attract industry and services toward the relatively underdeveloped north and certain other pockets of economic stagnation. Despite these subsidies, the western part of the country remains the centre of new activity, especially in the service sector.

Source: britannica.com

Landscape and growth

Global State of the Market Report

In 2022, the Advisory Board Centre mapped professionals currently serving on Advisory Boards. This assessment identified over 40,000 professionals on Advisory Boards in the Netherlands, or 2% of the global Advisory Board market.

Advisory Board Landscape

Research has indicated that there is a thriving Advisory Board market within the region. Advisory Board professionals will have opportunities in the key market sectors including sustainable energy, agri-food and IT.  Also, the business sector including SMEs, present strong future growth opportunities.

Future Growth Opportunities

The sector will continue to mature as the best practice community and Advisory Board credentials are obtained within the Netherlands.

Key Statistics

Population 17.24m
GDP $1,012,847 USD million
Labour Force by occupation
Agriculture2.08%
Industry16.11%
Services81.81%
GDP by sector
Agriculture1.55%
Industry18.06%
Services 69.44%
Import $736,543 USD million
Export $840,460 USD million
Global ease of doing business rank 32nd
Global ease of doing business score 76.03/100