According to allcitypopulation, the Netherlands is a small country located in Western Europe, bordered by the North Sea to the north and west, Germany to the east, and Belgium to the south. The country is known for its flat landscape and its network of canals, which have earned it the nickname of “the Venice of the North.” The total land area of Netherlands is 41,543 square kilometers (16,033 square miles). According to Petwithsupplies, the capital city of Netherlands is Amsterdam with a population of 776,000 (however, the government and parliament have seats in The Hague with 490,000 residents) (estimate 2012). Other major cities include Rotterdam with a population of 576,000, Utrecht with a population of 311,000, Eindhoven with a population of 225,000, Tilburg with a population of 210,000 (estimate 2012).
The economy of Netherlands is one of the most developed economies in Europe and is among the top 10 largest economies worldwide. Its main industries are agriculture, engineering, electronics and chemicals. Agriculture accounts for about 2% of GDP but employs about 5% of the population. Engineering and electronics account for about 20% of GDP. The Netherlands has a high level of foreign direct investment (FDI) and has one of the highest per capita incomes in Europe. It also has a strong banking sector with numerous international banks operating in Amsterdam. The Dutch have also been successful in attracting foreign multinational corporations to their shores with many major companies having their European headquarters based in Amsterdam or Rotterdam.
Foreign Trade of Netherlands
The Netherlands is a major player in international trade, with exports and imports representing around 80% of its GDP. The country is the world’s fourth-largest exporter and fifth-largest importer, according to the World Trade Organization (WTO). Its main trading partners are Germany, Belgium, France, the United Kingdom and the United States.
The Netherlands’ main exports are machinery and transport equipment (27% of total exports), chemicals (16%), mineral fuels and lubricants (15%), food products (9%) and manufactured goods (8%). Its main imports are machinery and transport equipment (33% of total imports), chemicals (19%), food products (10%), mineral fuels and lubricants (9%) and manufactured goods (7%).
The Netherlands has a strong manufacturing sector that includes production of electronics, chemical products, food processing, textiles, transportation equipment and construction materials. The country has also established itself as a global logistics hub due to its strategic location in Europe, excellent infrastructure network and highly skilled workforce. In addition to these activities, the Netherlands also engages in foreign direct investment through its national companies abroad as well as through subsidiaries located in other countries.
Major Trading Partners of Netherlands
The Netherlands is a major trading nation, with exports and imports representing around 80% of its GDP. The country is the world’s fourth-largest exporter and fifth-largest importer, according to the World Trade Organization (WTO). Its main trading partners are Germany, Belgium, France, the United Kingdom and the United States.
Germany is the Netherlands’ largest single trading partner, accounting for 18% of total trade. The two countries have strong economic ties, with German companies making up a large portion of foreign direct investment (FDI) in the Dutch economy and vice versa. The Netherlands’ exports to Germany mainly consist of machinery and transport equipment (31%), chemicals (20%), food products (7%) and manufactured goods (7%). Its imports from Germany mainly consist of machinery and transport equipment (38%), chemicals (13%), mineral fuels and lubricants (12%) and manufactured goods (10%).
Belgium is another major trading partner of the Netherlands, accounting for 10% of total trade. Exports to Belgium mainly consist of food products (17%), machinery and transport equipment (16%) chemicals (11%) and manufactured goods(10%). Imports from Belgium mainly consist of machinery and transport equipment(37%), food products(15%) minerals fuels & lubricants(14%) & manufactured goods(11%).
France is another key trading partner for the Netherlands with 6% of total trade between them. Exports to France mainly consist of chemical products(21%), machinery & transport equipment(18%), food products(14%) & manufactured goods(9%). Imports from France mainly consist of Machinery & Transport Equipment(33%), Food Products(20%), Chemicals(15%) & Manufactured Goods(9%).
The United Kingdom accounts for 5% of total trade between them. Exports to UK mainly consists Machinery& Transport Equipment.(25%), Food Products.(15%) Chemicals.(13%) Manufactured Goods.(8%). Imports from UK mainly consists Machinery& Transport Equipment.(32%), Food Products.(14%), Chemicals.(10%)& Manufactured Goods.(8%).
The United States accounts for 4%of total trade between them. Exports to US consists Machinery& Transport Equipment.(26%),Chemicals.(17%);Food Products..15%,Manufactured Goods..6%.Imports from US consists Machinery& Transport Equipment..32%, Chemicals..17%;Food Products..12%, Manufactured Goods..7%.
Major Imports and Exports of Netherlands
The Netherlands is a major trading nation, with exports and imports accounting for more than 55% of its GDP. In 2019, the Netherlands’ total trade amounted to €936.2 billion, with exports amounting to €464.7 billion and imports coming in at €471.5 billion. As a member of the European Union, the Netherlands has strong trade relations with other EU countries and also has significant trading ties with many other nations around the world.
The Netherlands’ main export partners are Germany, Belgium, France and the United Kingdom. Together these countries account for around 40% of total exports from the Netherlands in 2019. The main exports from the Netherlands include Machinery & Transport Equipment (36%), Chemicals (19%), Food Products (11%) & Manufactured Goods (9%).
Germany is by far the largest export partner for the Netherlands with 18% of total trade between them in 2019. Exports to Germany mainly consist of Machinery & Transport Equipment (31%), Chemicals (20%), Food Products (7%) & Manufactured Goods (7%). Its imports from Germany mainly consist of Machinery & Transport Equipment (38%), Chemicals (13%), Mineral Fuels & Lubricants(12%)& Manufactured Goods(10%).
Belgium is another major trading partner of the Netherlands, accounting for 10% of total trade between them in 2019. Exports to Belgium mainly consist of Food Products (17%), Machinery & Transport Equipment(16%), Chemicals(11%)& Manufactured Goods(10%). Imports from Belgium mainly consist of Machinery & Transport Equipment(37%), Food Products(15%), Minerals Fuels & Lubricants(14%)& Manufactured Goods(11%).
France is another key trading partner for the Netherlands with 6% of total trade between them in 2019. Exports to France mainly consists of Chemical Products(21%), Machinery & Transport Equipment(18%), Food Products(14%)& Manufactured Goods(9%). Imports from France mainly consists of Machinery & Transport Equipment(33%);Food Products.(20%);Chemicals.(15%);Manufactured Goods.(9%).
The United Kingdom accounts for 5%of total trade between them in 2019. Exports to UK mainly consists Machinery& Transport Equipment.(25%);Food Products.(15%);Chemicals.(13%);Manufactured Goods..8%.Imports from UK mainly consists Machinery& Transport Equipment..32%;Food Products..14%;Chemicals..10%;Manufactured Goods..8%.
The United States accounts for 4%of total trade between them in 2019. Exports to US consists Machinery& Transport Equipment.(26%);Chemicals.(17%);Food Products..15%;Manufactured Goods..6%.Imports from US consists Machinery& Transport Equipment..32%;Chemicals..17%;Food Products..12%;Manufactured Goods..7%.
In addition to these countries, other important export partners include Italy, China and Switzerland while important import partners include Spain and Poland as well as China and Switzerland again respectively. The most important goods imported into the country are machinery and transport equipment as well as chemicals while food products also play an important role both as imports as well as exports along with manufactured goods too on either side of their trading relations with foreign countries all over the world.