Numbers tell the story. Here's what you need to understand about Dutch business and economics.
When you're doing business in the Netherlands, these numbers matter:
01
Section
The Big Picture
- Population: 17.5 million
- GDP: €1.3 trillion (9th largest in the world)
- GDP per Capita: €74,000
- Unemployment Rate: ~3.5%
- Average Salary: €50,000–60,000/year
NETHERLANDS = TRADE POWERHOUSE
- Port Ranking: #1 in Europe (Rotterdam)
- Annual Port Volume: 50M containers, €250B+ trade value
- Exports: €650B annually
- Imports: €600B annually
- Key Export Partners: Germany, Belgium, UK, France, USA
02
Section
Doing Business In Nl
- Corporate Tax Rate: 19%
- VAT (Sales Tax): 21%
- Business Registration Cost: €50–200
- Time to Register: 1–2 weeks
- Business Language: English widely spoken
03
Section
Labor Market
- Minimum Wage: €13.50/hour
- Full-Time Average Salary: €55,000/year
- Senior Management: €100,000–200,000+
- Work Culture: 40-hour weeks, 25 vacation days minimum
04
Section
Investment Climate
- Foreign Direct Investment: €150B annually flowing in/out
- Ease of Doing Business Rank: #3 in the world
- Business Confidence: High
05
Section
The Bottom Line
The Netherlands is responsible for 3–4% of global trade despite being 0.2% of the world's population. Those numbers come from a culture of efficiency, logistics, and direct business dealings.
If you're selling anything to Europe, Rotterdam and the Netherlands are your gateway.