Dutch imports and exports, 1990-2002*
The global recession in 2002 meant that Dutch imports and exports did not increase compared to 2001.
| 1990 | 1995 | 1998 | 1999 | 2000 | 2001* | 2002* | ||
| percentage change compared to previous year 1) | ||||||||
| Imports of goods and services | 3.6 | 10.6 | 8.5 | 5.8 | 10.5 | 2.4 | -0.2 | |
| of which | Consumer goods | 2.4 | 5.5 | 8.3 | 8.1 | 7.9 | 2.9 | 1.2 |
| Investment goods | 3.6 | 12.3 | 5.2 | 8.9 | 3.9 | -1.9 | -5.7 | |
| Exports of goods and services | 5.5 | 8.8 | 7.4 | 5.1 | 11.3 | 1.7 | 0.1 | |
| Imports of goods, total2) | 5.4 | 12.3 | 8.3 | 5.5 | 10.6 | 1.7 | -1.1 | |
| Exports of goods, total 2) | 4.9 | 9.6 | 7.4 | 4.4 | 11.9 | 1.5 | -0.5 | |
| EUR billion | ||||||||
| Balance of trade | 8.3 | 18.0 | 19.2 | 16.2 | 21.0 | 22.5 | 22.7 | |
| Source: CBS (2003). | CBS/EDC/Aug03/0003 | |||||||
| 1) Based on volume prices. 2) Excluding energy. | ||||||||
Stagnating growth in trade
The global recession meant that Dutch imports and exports did not grow in 2002, whereas there was growth of more than 10% in 2000.
The Netherlands as a trading nation
The Dutch economy is an extremely open one, characterised by imports and exports of many goods and services. On balance, the Netherlands has been a net exporter for many years. This is due to the country's geographical location, with its accessible ports and extensive, highly developed and easily accessible hinterland. The agricultural and industrial sectors export a relatively high proportion of their products.
Technical note
Recently, there has been a revision of the statistics in the National Accounts. The revised figures are now available for 1987 onwards.
References
- CBS (2003). Statline. Nationale Rekeningen. Statistics Netherlands, Voorburg/Heerlen.
Relevant sections and indicators in the Environmental Data Compendium
- National Accounts (explanatory note)
- Gross added value and employment in the Netherlands, 1980-2002*
- Guide to section Guide to 'Ecological footprint' section
- Guide to section Guide to 'Environment and economy (NAMEA)' section
Relevant information outside of the Environmental Data Compendium
- Further information about the National Accounts can be found in De Nederlandse economie (CBS, 2002) and on Statline (Statistics Netherlands).
