Market overview of the Netherlands

The Netherlands boasts a highly developed marked economy with a strong focus on innovation. However, in recent years, the Netherlands' economic growth has slowed down, which is reflected in a decline in economic indicators and the country's loss of leading positions in various international rankings. 

In the global ranking of innovative economies, the Global Innovation Index 2024, the Netherlands took the 8th place, maintaining its place in the top 10, but having fallen 6 positions in 6 years. In the World Economic Forum's Global Competitiveness Index 2024, the Netherlands is in the 9th place, having fallen 5 positions in 3 years. 

The most developed industries are chemical, oil refining, ferrous metallurgy, electronics, electrical engineering, food and textile industries. 

The Netherlands also has a highly developed agriculture (livestock and crop production), and is one of the world's largest producers and exporters of agricultural products. 

The economy of the Netherlands is characterized by a high level of development of the service sector (restaurant and hotel business, financial and insurance sector), port and airport infrastructure (Port of Rotterdam, Schiphol transport hub), high-tech industries (nanotechnology, chemistry, electronics), agriculture (greenhouse farming, horticulture, precision farming). 

According to the results of 2024, in terms of gross domestic product (GDP), the Netherlands ranked 18th in the world and 5th among the member states of the European Union (behind Germany, France, Italy, Spain). 

The Netherlands has historically been an export-oriented country. Like other relatively small industrialized countries, the economy of the Netherlands significantly depends on the results of foreign trade in goods and services. 

The main export items are: mineral fuels, mechanical engineering products, electronic equipment, pharmaceuticals, vehicles, medical and technical equipment, agricultural products.