Economic trends
The Netherlands entered into recession after the second trimester of 2008, the country was strongly affected by the international crisis due to its dependence on foreign trade. Its GDP experienced a historic contraction of -4% in 2009. The revival of global trade has allowed the country to recover with a slow growth drawn by the exports in 2010, estimated at 1.8%.
The crisis plunged public finance into the red, beyond the limits of the European Stability and Growth Pact. The public deficit is estimated at 5.8% of the GDP in 2010, and the public debt is close to 65% of the GDP. The priority of the government is to consolidate the budget and its objective is to bring the deficit to 3% of the GDP by 2013. The government has established reforms intended to strengthen the financial sector and the management of the population's ageing is also essential.
The Netherlands presents high incomes per capita with an equal distribution of revenues. The unemployment rate is rising but it still remains at less than 5% of the active population.
Main branches of industry
The agricultural sector represents 3% of the country's GNP. The profits from production are high and the use of the agricultural surface area is very intensive. Nearly 60% of the production is exported, either directly or through the food industry, what makes of the Netherlands the third exporter of agricultural products in the world. Cereals, potatoes and horticultural products are the main crops.
Industrial activity, practically, generates nearly a quarter of the GNP through food-processing, the petro-chemical industry, metallurgy and also the transport equipment industry. The Netherlands is also amongst the major producers and distributors of oil and natural gas.
Services account for more than 70% of the national income and they are mainly centered on transportation, distribution, logistics, banking and insurances.
International trade
The Dutch prosperity has always been based on its international trade. Its level of openness (imports plus exports of goods and services) usually surpasses 100% of the GDP, which makes of its economy one of the most open and foreign trade-oriented. The Netherlands has the biggest European harbor at Rotterdam, thanks to its geographical situation.
Foreign trade has experienced a significant drop during the crisis but due to its high technology industries and services, the Netherlands remains as one of the main pillars of the economy. Exports as well as imports have revived in 2010 and the country should reach a small growth in 2011. The country has a structural positive trade balance, a trend that should continue.
The country's main trade partners are the European Union, the United States and China.
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Last updates: January 2012
