The Dutch industry is larger than you might assume: more than 70,000 companies and 800,000 employees – about 10 percent of all jobs in the Netherlands. After business services, healthcare, and trade, industry is the largest employer.
And those jobs count significantly. The industry accounts for 12 percent of GDP. In comparison, business services have two and a half times as many employees, yet they only represent 15 percent of the total economy. The industry also plays a key role in exports: in 2021, the Netherlands exported goods and services worth 710 billion euros.
Disappearance leads to impoverishment
The industry ensures that we maintain our prosperity. The income it generates makes good healthcare, education, and social security possible. And a significant portion of all spending on research & development comes from the industry. Those innovations, in turn, create the economic activity of tomorrow.
In the wake of manufacturing companies, numerous other enterprises thrive – from logistics and telecommunications to advertising and consultancy.
Better to keep than to lose
What if industrial companies relocate? Then the Netherlands not only loses jobs, but we also become dependent on other countries. And we lose control over quality, safety, and supply.
The share of Dutch industry in CO2 emissions would decrease, but it only leads to more emissions elsewhere. Possibly in countries where the regulations are less strict. Moreover, we would then need to import more goods, which brings additional emissions through transport.
Sustainability requires industry
Paradoxically, the energy transition actually needs more industry: solar panels, wind turbines, batteries, and electric cars must be produced – just to name a few examples.
Almost 80 percent of Dutch industrial companies are already investing in sustainability. They allocate 7 billion euros per year to research and development, often focused on more sustainable processes. That knowledge is also crucial for a greener future.
A strong industry is therefore a necessity for direct and indirect employment. For research and development. For innovation. For independence from (sometimes unreliable) countries. For prosperity.
Projects like re:GEN demonstrate how we can strengthen the industry by smartly and sustainably redeveloping existing locations. This allows companies to grow and enables the Netherlands to maintain its industrial strength.
Sources:
https://www.vno-ncw.nl/forum/longread-wat-als-de-industrie-echt-uit-nederland-vertrekt
https://longreads.cbs.nl/nederland-in-cijfers-2022/waar-werken-de-meeste-mensen/