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The Kingdom of the Netherlands has a strong economy and is one of Europe's most dynamic centres of trade and industry – and home to one of the most open and internationally oriented economies in the world. The country serves as an important European transportation hub centred around the harbour in Rotterdam and Schiphol Airport in Amsterdam.
The Netherlands offers a friendly tax system, a skilled and highly productive workforce and welcomes foreign investment. The economy is noted for its stable industrial relations, moderate unemployment and inflation – and a sizable current account surplus.
The Netherlands is the world's fifth largest exporter of goods and the seventh largest importer The country accounts for 1.4 per cent of world GDP and 3.7 per cent of world trade. Industrial activity is predominantly in food-processing, financial services, chemicals, petroleum refining and electrical machinery.
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COUNTRY FACTS |
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Language |
Dutch |
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Population |
16.6 million |
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Population density |
395 per square kilometre |
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Capital |
Amsterdam |
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Head of State |
Queen Beatrix |
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Government |
Center-Right |
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Government Leader |
Mark Rutte |
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ECONOMIC FIGURES |
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GDP per Capita (Global Rating) |
$44,000 (No. 13) |
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Economic Growth (year on year) |
1.8% |
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Unemployment |
5.1% |
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Inflation (year on year) |
1.6% |
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Consumer Confidence |
-10 |
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Global Competitiveness Index |
Rank 8 |
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SECTORS |
Contribution to GDP |
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Agriculture |
2.6% |
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Industry |
24.6% |
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Services |
72.8% |
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EXPORTS |
$500 billion (2009) |
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Exported commodities |
Petroleum (not crude) |
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Office machines |
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Food |
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Telecommunications |
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Plastics |
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Organic chemicals |
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Road vehicles |
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Medical equipment |
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IMPORTS |
$450 billion (2009) |
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Imported commodities |
Petroleum (crude and not crude) |
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Office machines |
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Telecommunications |
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Cars and carparts |
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Food |
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Medical equipment |
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Organic chemicals |
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Iron and steel |
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SOURCE Statistics Netherlands/Eurostat/IMF/World Economic Forum |
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Published in December 2010 |
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