Economic structure and key sectors

The Netherlands has a diversified and balanced economic structure. Key sectors include industry, agriculture, services and energy. The country is known for its advanced manufacturing capabilities, particularly in high-tech industries such as electronics, chemicals and machinery. The agricultural sector is highly productive and the Netherlands is the main exporter of agricultural products. The service sector, including finance, logistics and creative industries, also plays a significant role in the economy.

The Netherlands has a strong tradition of international trade and is considered one of the most open economies in the world. It benefits from its strategic location, excellent infrastructure and well-developed logistics networks. The country is a major exporter of goods and services, with key trading partners including Germany, Belgium, the UK and the US. The port of Rotterdam is one of the largest and busiest ports in the world, facilitating global trade.

They are committed to sustainable development and have implemented various green initiatives. The country is a world leader in renewable energy, with a focus on wind and solar energy. The government has set ambitious targets to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and the transition to a zero-carbon economy. The Netherlands also promotes the principles of the circular economy, waste reduction and sustainable urban planning.

Women in the Netherlands

The Netherlands, despite being known for its progressive and inclusive society, is still working to further improve the situation of women in their country. 

On the labor front, the gender pay gap in the Netherlands reached 14.2% in 2022. A better figure than the rest of the European countries, but still an improvement. 

Women account for just over 30% of the seats in parliament. This puts them in the middle of the European average. While in government sessions the figure is around 48%. Above the European average.

As Deloitte, one of the world’s largest consulting and auditing firms, writes, a latest research revealed that In recent years the number of supervisory board positions held by women has increased from 4.3% to 7.8%. The explanation for this figure would be given by the draft law on gender diversity approved by the Dutch Senate in September 2021, in force since January 2022. This draft law introduced a minimum 33% share of female representation on supervisory boards and boards of directors of listed companies and required large Dutch companies to set gender balance targets for their board of directors and management.

With regard to violence from a research conducted by Atria in 2014, the research institute on gender equality and the history of women in the Netherlands, notes that 45% of women surveyed have suffered physical or sexual violence during their lifetime. 73% were sexually intimidated.

New data will be published by EIGE,  European Institute for Gender Equality, in 2024 for all European countries.

LGBTQIA+

As for LGBTQIA+ rights, the Netherlands has always been the most progressive country in Europe, sometimes the world.

Already from 1811 even before the advent of the Napoleonic Empire in the Netherlands were repealed laws for sexual acts between people of the same sex, and were never reinstated.

In 1998, the recognition of certain rights by civil unions was approved, and in 2001 they became the first country in the world to legalize same-sex marriage. 

As far as rights and their protection are concerned, laws were already passed in 1993 for the protection of the rights of homosexual persons in matters of work, housing, and both public and private accommodation. Transgender people are also covered by this law. 

In general, for policies and regulations that safeguard LGBTQIA+ rights and open climate and local tolerance, the Netherlands is often referred to as one of the most gay friendly countries ever.

Religions, ethnicities and racism

The population of the Netherlands is very heterogeneous. Out of a population of 17 million, about 4 million are immigrants. 

Most consist of people from Turkey Morocco Suriname Indonesia Germany Belgium Syria and United Kingdom.

Almost half of the population call themselves atheists/agnostics, 23% call themselves Catholics, 15% Protestants and 6% Muslims.

As far as racism in the Netherlands is concerned, it is present. A 2021 European Commission document analyses how institutional racism is present. From the analysis carried out by Knowledge Platform Integration & Society (KIS), an institute that carries out social research on behalf of governments and organizations, shows that this type of racism is present in two areas: the real estate market and the labor market.

It denotes from the analysis how people with a non-Dutch background have access to fewer opportunities than their white counterparts. There are also strong indications of institutional racism in the field of education and the police.