International trade in services
This chapter focuses on the international trade in services. How did the Dutch trade in services evolve in 2024? Which services did the Netherlands import and export more of, and which less? Which countries were its main trading partners? How important was the Netherlands to global trade in services? And how important was the Netherlands to other countries’ trade in services? We answer these and other questions by analysing the composition and geographical distribution of services imports and exports.
4.1Key findings
Dutch services exports in 2024
- The Netherlands exported €306.6 billion worth of services to other countries in 2024, according to International Trade in Services Statistics. That was 4.3% more than in 2023.
- When we look at the services trade defined by the National Accounts – which excludes special purpose entities, among others – the increase was 6.5%. Export volume is estimated to have increased by 2.5% compared to 2023, while export prices were estimated to have increased by 4.0%. This means that the growth in export value can be attributed to both higher export prices and export volumes.
- With a share of 30%, business services were again the largest category of Dutch services exports by value in 2024. This category includes R&D, legal or accounting services, as well as business, technical or trade-related consultancy. Transport services and telecommunication, computer and information services complete the top three.
- Compared to 2023, transport services exports grew the fastest in terms of value (+€3.8 billion).
The largest absolute decline was seen in business services exports: the
export value of this category was €1 billion lower in 2024 than it was in 2023. The decline was particularly evident in technical, trade-related and other services. - In 2024, as much as 69.4% of services exports were destined for Europe (51.4% to other EU countries) making Europe the most important export destination by far. 15.4% of export value went to the Americas and 12.4% to Asia.
- Germany, the US, the UK, Ireland and Switzerland were the main destinations for Dutch services exports in 2024; 47.8% of Dutch services exports went to these five largest export partners.
- The US was the main destination for business services from the Netherlands in 2024. For telecommunications, computer and information services exports, it was Ireland. In terms of value, Germany was the largest buyer of transport services from the Netherlands in 2024.
Dutch services imports in 2024
- Total Dutch services imports increased by 5.4% to €282.6 billion in 2024 compared to 2023, according to the International Trade in Services Statistics.
- When we look at the international trade in services defined by the National Accounts – which excludes the special purpose entities, among others – there was an increase of 5.7%. Import volume increased by 2.2% between 2023 and 2024, while the price increase was 3.4%.
- Business services dominated services imports in 2024, with a share of over 36%, followed by transport services and fees for the use of intellectual property.
- The import value of all service categories was higher in 2024 than it was in 2023, except for services related to the processing of goods and government services. The Netherlands purchased less of these two service categories in 2024. Imports of business services grew the fastest in absolute terms, by €6.4 billion.
- In 2024, 68.5% of Dutch services imports came from European countries. In 2024, Dutch services imports from Europe amounted to €193.5 billion, or 51.9% of the total services import value. Besides Europe, the import value from Asia also increased sharply. In 2024, Dutch services imports from Asian partners amounted to €24.4 billion.
- The US, UK, Germany, Ireland and France were the main countries of origin for Dutch services imports in 2024; 57.0% of Dutch services imports came from these five import partners.
- The UK was the main supplier of business services to the Netherlands in 2024. The main supplier of imported transport services was Germany. By value, the US and Ireland were our largest suppliers of intellectual property in 2024.
The Netherlands as an international service provider in 2023
- The international figures come from the World Trade Organisation (WTO) and the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). The most recent figures are from 2023.
- The Netherlands supplied 3.6% of all services exported worldwide in 2023, making it the world’s seventh largest services exporter. The US is the leading supplier of services in the world, by far.
- Of all countries, Belgium imports the most services from the Netherlands: in 2023, 14.4% of Belgium’s total services imports came from the Netherlands. The Dutch share in France’s services imports grew relatively strongly in 2023 – by 0.7 percentage points compared to 2022. This growth was mainly in business services.
The Netherlands as an international service consumer in 2023
- The Netherlands accounted for 3.8% of global services imports in 2023, making it the world’s seventh largest services importer by value. The US, Germany and the UK imported the most services globally. Although its share decreased in 2023, the US remains by far the world’s largest importer of services.
- Of all countries, Barbados exports the most services to the Netherlands as a proportion of its total services exports; 21.2% of the Caribbean island’s services exports are to the Netherlands. Belgium and Romania are other countries that export a high share of their services exports to the Netherlands.
| % | |
|---|---|
| Exports | |
| Business services | 30 |
| Transport services | 20 |
| Telecommunication, computer and information services | 15 |
| Intellectual property | 14 |
| Travel services | 7 |
| Imports | |
| Business services | 36 |
| Transport services | 17 |
| Intellectual property | 14 |
| Telecommunication, computer and information services | 10 |
| Travel services | 8 |
In this chapter, we focus on both the composition and the geographical dimension of the Dutch trade in services. In sections 4.2 to 4.4, we look at this from a Dutch perspective, based on figures from Statistics Netherlands. In section 4.2, we describe the key developments in the Dutch trade in services including price changes. Section 4.3 describes the main developments in services exports, after which section 4.4 discusses imports. In sections 4.5 and 4.6, we reverse the roles and view the Netherlands through the eyes of other countries. How important is the Netherlands to other countries as a supplier and buyer of services? For this analysis from an international perspective, we use OECD-WTO data. In order to interpret the findings based on the OECD-WTO data – and to assure the required quality of the figures – in sections 4.5 and 4.6 we use CBS figures at the level of service type to represent international trade flows.
4.2Key developments in the Dutch trade in services
International trade in services takes place when enterprises or individuals from one country purchase services from or sell services to enterprises or individuals based in other countries. If a person in the Netherlands is paid for services provided to someone who is resident in another country, this is referred to as Dutch services exports. Conversely, Dutch services imports involve payment by an enterprise or person in the Netherlands for services provided by an enterprise or person based abroad. For example, if a Dutch architectural firm supplies designs for a construction project in China, we refer to this as Dutch exports of architectural services to China. If a Dutch enterprise uses the services of a call centre in India, we refer to this as Dutch imports of business services.
Goods are tangible. They are often input for all or part of a production process, or are sold to consumers in shops. Services, on the other hand, are intangible and less visible than goods. Whereas in the international trade in goods the focus is often on goods physically crossing borders, the international trade in services involves financial cross-border flows (CBS, 2017). For more detailed information about the trade in services and more examples of types of services, see CBS (2017 and 2025a).
The international trade in services is ever more important globally…
Services are radically changing the global economy. Since the 1990s, the service sector has been the most important source of economic growth. Also, the majority of the global labour force works in the services sector (OECD, 2023). Logistics, information technology and financial services are an essential part of modern economies (WTO & World Bank, 2023). And services like transport and logistics provide the glue that holds supply chains together (Low, 2013). At the same time, services like research, distribution and marketing are important steps within the production process, and related services are ever more becoming an integral part of enterprises’ business models (Miroudot & Cadestin, 2017). In the Netherlands, commercial services account for more than half of GDP. If we add the quaternary sector – including the public sector and healthcare – the service sectors in the Netherlands accounted for 77.3% of GDP in 2023 (CBS, 2025b). The service sector accounts for more than two-thirds of global GDP – twice the combined share of agriculture and manufacturing (Sauvé, 2023). Additionally, research consistently shows that the growth of the service sector is an important impetus for countries’ development (Baldwin & Forslid, 2020; Nayyar et al., 2021).
The importance of the service sector is also reflected in the growing trade in services. Between 2005 and 2022, worldwide exports of commercial services nearly tripled, driven in part by developments in information and communication technology. Exports of digitally delivered services were up nearly fourfold. The trade in goods also grew during the same period, but less rapidly than the trade in services (WTO & World Bank, 2023). And while the trade in goods reached a peak in 2008, the global trade in services continues to grow as a share of GDP. Baldwin et al. (2024) demonstrate that the trade in services forms an important pillar of global trade today; services now account for over a fifth of global export earnings. Moreover, they argue that the trade in services will become the focal point of future global trade, predicting an important role for intermediate services, or business-to-business services. Examples include all kinds of back-office services, such as call centre services, IT support and website development.
The increasing importance of the trade in services does not appear to be a merely temporary phenomenon, but rather a structural change in the world economy. The growth is seen primarily in digital and business services – such as IT, financial services and professional consultancy – which are increasingly easy to supply across borders due to technological progress, including cloud computing, AI and improved infrastructure (WTO, 2019). At the same time, emerging economies are playing an ever more important role as global service providers (WTO & World Bank (2023) – for example, India and the Philippines as suppliers of computer services and business services.
… and the importance of services exports is increasing for the Netherlands as well
The increased importance of the international trade in services also applies to the Netherlands. In 2023, the contribution of services exports to Dutch GDP was 15.7%–0.2 percentage points up on the previous year (CBS, 2024). In 1995, only 7.1% of GDP had been attributable to services exports (CBS, 2016). To put this into perspective: in 2023, services exports were more important to Dutch prosperity than domestic exports, which accounted for 15.5% of Dutch GDP. Although the share of goods exports as a share of GDP fell in 2023, goods exports as a whole remained more important than services exports, because goods re-exports still contributed 3.9% of Dutch GDP in 2023 (CBS, 2024). See also Chapter 6 of this publication for more information about Dutch export earnings.
An increased focus on the trade in services can be a conscious choice for countries. In some cases, there is no better alternative. In recent years, China has emerged as the ‘world’s sole manufacturing superpower’ (Baldwin, 2024). And although many countries might like to curb China’s export power (Smid, 2025), competing with China in this area is not easy (Baldwin, 2024). In general, this development does not appear to be detrimental to the Netherlands. There is relatively little money to be earned from labour-intensive, low-tech goods. Specialising in the activities that take place before and after actual manufacturing is more lucrative in relative terms – for example, R&D, marketing and sales (Voncken et al., 2015). One euro in services exports benefits the Netherlands more than one euro earned from Dutch goods or re-exports; see also Chapter 6 of this publication. Of course, a shift from production activities to services is not a purely Dutch phenomenon; the same pattern is seen in many advanced economies. However, the pattern is more pronounced in the Netherlands (Wache et al., 2024).
Redesign of International Trade in Services statistics
Due to a redesign of the International Trade in Services statistics as of 2020, a revised methodology applies to the time series for the international trade in services. As a result, two separate collections of time series have emerged: one original collection of series for the 2014–2020 period (CBS, 2022) and one new collection of series that starts in 2020 (CBS, 2023a), the year in which the redesign was implemented. In order to be able to track changes over a longer period of time, time series were introduced in which trends from the original series are linked to the values and developments from the ‘new’ series. This makes it possible to track developments from 2014 instead of from 2020.
Export value nearly twice as high as in 2015
In 2024, the Netherlands exported €306.6 billion worth of services; see Figure 4.2.1.
In the same year, our country imported €282.6 billion worth of services from abroad. The value of services exports and imports grew by 4.3% and 5.4%, respectively, compared to the previous year. This meant that both export and import values reached record levels. In 2015, export value was €134.5 billion less than in 2024, while import value was €90.9 billion less.
In 2020, the trade in services declined. This was not only due to the coronavirus pandemic, but also to corporate restructurings, which slowed the growth of the international trade in services – possibly driven by an altered fiscal climate for multinationals in the Netherlands (Poulissen et al., 2022). 2020 was also the year in which the UK left the EU. In addition, worldwide disruptions to production chains, shortages of microchips and higher energy costs – and the associated high levels of inflation – may also have had an impact on the international trade in services. This was true not only for 2020 but also to a certain extent for the subsequent years. Nevertheless, the trade in services has again shown an upward trend in recent years.
| Jaar | Exports | Imports |
|---|---|---|
| 2015 | 172.1 | 191.6 |
| 2016 | 164.0 | 164.7 |
| 2017 | 179.1 | 183.9 |
| 2018 | 199.9 | 206.0 |
| 2019 | 217.7 | 218.9 |
| 2020 | 200.2 | 190.8 |
| 2021 | 221.8 | 210.9 |
| 2022 | 280.7 | 262.3 |
| 2023* | 294.0 | 268.2 |
| 2024* | 306.6 | 282.6 |
| 1)Due to a change in methodology, the figures up to and including 2019 are based on provisional recalculation. | ||
Price of services again increases more rapidly than volume
An increase in trade value can be the result of an increased volume of services, an increase in the price of those services or a combination of the two. No price indices are available at CBS that would allow the volume and price effects to be easily distinguished from one another within the statistics on International Trade in Services. However, it is possible to provide an indication based on the data available on the composition of GDP, based on final expenditure, from the CBS National Accounts (CBS, 2025c); see figures 4.2.2 and 4.2.3. It should be pointed out that these data sources do not apply exactly the same principles with regard to the international trade in services. For example, the share of the international trade in services conducted via Special Purpose Entities (SPEs) – also known as letterbox firms and in the past referred to as special financial institutions – is not included in the National Accounts.
Based on the concepts used in the National Accounts, the total export value of services rose by 6.5% in 2024 compared to the previous year. In 2024, export prices rose 4.0% year on year. Figure 4.2.2 shows that export volume increased in 2024, albeit less rapidly than prices. This means that the growth in export value is attributable to both higher export prices and higher volumes.
| Jaar | Volume | Price |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 9.1 | 2.2 |
| 2019 | 6.2 | 2.2 |
| 2020 | -7.6 | 2.1 |
| 2021 | 2.5 | 2.2 |
| 2022 | 11.9 | 7.5 |
| 2023* | 0.6 | 5.2 |
| 2024* | 2.5 | 4.0 |
Based on the concepts used in the National Accounts, total import value rose by 5.7% in 2024 compared to 2023. That growth was caused by higher prices as well as larger volumes; see Figure 4.2.3. Between 2023 and 2024, import volume increased by 2.2%, while prices increased by 3.4%.
| Jaar | Volume | Price |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 9.4 | 1.7 |
| 2019 | 0.5 | 1.9 |
| 2020 | -9.1 | 1.5 |
| 2021 | -0.4 | 5.7 |
| 2022 | 11.5 | 5.2 |
| 2023* | 0.9 | 5.0 |
| 2024* | 2.2 | 3.4 |
4.3Dutch services exports in detail
Figure 4.3.1 shows the composition of Dutch services exports. As in the previous year, business services made up the largest category of services exports in 2024, accounting for 29.8% of total export value. Compared to 2023, the export value of business services fell by 1.0%, whereas increases were observed for the five other largest service types. After business services, transport services were the most exported type of services, with a share of 19.7%, followed by telecommunications, computer and information services, which made up 14.7% of exports.
| Jaar | Business services | Transport services | Telecommunications, computer and information services | Intellectual property fees | Travel services | Financial services | Other |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024* | 91.4 | 60.3 | 45.1 | 41.4 | 21.1 | 18.3 | 28.9 |
| 2023* | 92.4 | 56.5 | 41.6 | 39.0 | 19.6 | 18.1 | 26.8 |
| 2015 | 49.4 | 34.3 | 34.8 | 20.9 | 12.4 | 6.0 | 14.3 |
| 1)Due to a change in methodology, the figures up to and including 2019 are based on a provisional recalculation. | |||||||
Largest relative growth in exports of telecommunications, computer and information services
Table 4.3.2 shows the export figures for the six most important service types in more detail. The largest relative increase in services exports compared to the previous year was visible in telecommunications, computer and information services. Within this category of services, computer services accounted for the largest share of exports, followed by information services. The growth in exports of telecommunications, computer and information services may be linked to increased investments in digitalisation and automation aimed at raising labour productivity (Volkerink et al., 2024). Compared to 2023, exports of information services rose by 21.7% in 2024, the largest percentage increase for this service type. The growth is partly due to increased exports to Ireland, the US and Germany. Exports of computer services show a more moderate growth of 8.4%. By contrast, telecommunications services, saw a decline compared to the previous year.
Decline in exports of business services
A slight decline was observed in exports of business services. Compared to the previous year, exports of this type of service decreased from €92.4 billion to €91.4 billion, which corresponds to a contraction of 1.0%. The most important exports within business services were technical, trade-related and other services, followed by professional and management consultancy services. R&D services made up the smallest share of exports within this service type.
Recovery in transport services following a year of contraction
After falling in 2023, exports of transport services rose again in 2024. This service type includes the transportation of passengers and/or freight plus support services. Compared to the previous year, the export value of transport services increased by €56.5 billion to €60.3 billion. In absolute terms, this meant that transport services grew the fastest of all types of service while remaining below the level of 2022. The growth is primarily attributable to a rise of €2 billion in the export value of maritime shipping, with an increase of €1.5 billion in maritime cargo transport making the greatest contribution. This increase may be linked to recent disruptions to global logistics chains. One example would be the geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, where Houthis represent a threat to shipping (The Economist, 2025), another the collapse of a bridge in the port of Baltimore in the United States, which claimed several lives. This led to bottlenecks in other ports, causing increased freight charges on certain routes (WTO, 2024). Aviation also shows substantial growth following a previous contraction, with export value increasing by €1 billion to record levels. This meant that the aviation sector performed better in 2024 than before the coronavirus pandemic. This growth can partly be attributed to the relaxation of visa requirements by various economies, aimed at stimulating international travel (WTO, 2024).
Travel services increase
Travel services also increased, as Table 4.3.2 shows. The export value grew by €1.5 billion in 2024 compared to 2023. Travel services are sometimes confused with transport services. Transport services comprise the transportation of goods or persons and all related services when the supplier and the user are based in different countries, regardless of the physical route travelled. An example would be an enterprise in Germany hiring a Dutch haulage firm to transport goods to the UK. Examples related to persons would be a Dutch traveller buying an airline ticket or an international train ticket from a foreign carrier. Travel services, by contrast, comprise all expenditure by travellers – both tourists and business travellers – abroad, excluding the international transport itself, for example hotel accommodation, meals, excursions, local transport and other consumer spending during a stay abroad. Spending by international students, for example, or expenditure on healthcare – such as an operation – in another country also fall under travel services.
| 2023* | 2024* | |
|---|---|---|
| billion euros | ||
| Business services | 92.4 | 91.4 |
| Technical, trade-related and other services | 47.2 | 46.6 |
| Professional and management consulting services | 37.6 | 37.3 |
| R&D services | 7.6 | 7.5 |
| Transport services | 56.5 | 60.3 |
| Other transport | 23.1 | 23.6 |
| Aviation | 17.3 | 18.3 |
| Maritime shipping | 14.4 | 16.4 |
| Telecommunications, computer and information services | 41.6 | 45.1 |
| Computer services | 28.3 | 30.6 |
| Information services | 8.5 | 10.4 |
| Telecommunications services | 4.8 | 4.2 |
| Fees for the use of intellectual property | 39.0 | 41.4 |
| Fees for the use of audiovisual products | . | . |
| Franchises and similar rights | 12.5 | 13.2 |
| Fees for the use of R&D | . | 10.0 |
| Fees for the use of software | 3.9 | . |
| Travel | 19.6 | 21.1 |
| Private travel | 13.8 | 14.7 |
| Business travel | 5.8 | 6.4 |
| Financial services | 18.1 | 18.3 |
| Financial services (charged explicitly) | 11.9 | 12.1 |
| Indirectly observed services of financial institutions | 6.2 | 6.2 |
Dutch services continue to be exported mainly to European destinations
Figure 4.3.3 shows the share of different regions in the total export value of Dutch services. In 2024, no less than 69.4% of services exports were destined for countries in Europe, which means that this region remains by far the most important export destination. By way of comparison, only 15.4% of exports were destined for the Americas and 12.4% for Asia. Africa plays only a small role in Dutch services exports. The European internal market offers Dutch service providers significant benefits by lowering transaction costs and promoting the free traffic of services, making services exports to European destinations more attractive than to other regions (European Commission, 2023); 51.4% of Dutch services exports are supplied to enterprises or persons in other EU countries.
Europe’s share of Dutch services exports rose by 9.7 percentage points between 2015 and 2024, indicating that Europe has become more important as an export destination in relative terms. This increase is attributable to a sharp increase in export value to Europe, which rose from €102.7 billion in 2015 to €212.8 billion in 2024.
This is equivalent to 107.2% growth, significantly more than the increase in export value to the Americas (19.6%) or Asia (65.5%). It should be noted that 2015 was an exceptional year as regards exports to the Americas, which were substantially higher than in the years before or after. If we take 2016 as the starting point, export value to the Americas rose by 76.0% in 2024 – still less than the European growth.
| Land | Europe | Americas | Asia | Africa | Other |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024* | 69.4 | 15.4 | 12.4 | 1.2 | 1.6 |
| 2023* | 69.5 | 15.4 | 12.4 | 1.2 | 1.6 |
| 2015 | 59.7 | 23.0 | 13.4 | 2.3 | 1.7 |
| 1) Due to a change in methodology, the figures up to and including 2019 are based on a provisional recalculation. | |||||
Germany retains its position as leading export partner
Figure 4.3.4 shows the fifteen most important buyers of Dutch services. As was the case in 2015 and 2023, Germany was again the most significant destination for Dutch services exports in 2024. The United States and the United Kingdom were in second and third place, respectively, the same as in previous years. In total, 14.3% of services exports were destined for Germany in 2024. Germany, the US and the UK combined accounted for 35.0% of total export value. At 25.8%, business services made up the majority of Dutch services exports to Germany, followed by transport services at 21.2%. Business services also dominate services exports to the US, with a share of 44.0%, while transport services account for 21.2%. A similar pattern is visible for the UK, with business services having the largest share at 33.9%, followed by transport services at 23.9%.
In relative terms, Germany was even more important as an export partner for Dutch services in 2024 than it was in 2023. In 2023, 13.8% of total export value went to Germany, but by 2024 this had risen to 14.3%. This meant that Germany’s share of total exports increased, while the opposite was true for the US and the UK. Both countries saw their share of Dutch services exports fall to 10.7% and 9.9%, respectively. In 2024, export value to Germany totalled €44.0 billion, an 8.0% increase compared to the previous year. This growth is primarily attributable to higher exports of intellectual property. Despite the fall in the UK’s relative share, export value to that country increased by 1.2%. The value of services exports to the US, by contrast, showed a slight decline of 0.5%.
| 2024* | 2023* | 2015 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Germany | 44.0 | 40.7 | 20.0 |
| US | 32.7 | 32.9 | 19.4 |
| UK | 30.5 | 30.1 | 17.9 |
| Ireland | 21.1 | 20.4 | 7.7 |
| Switserland | 18.2 | 17.2 | 11.0 |
| France | 17.9 | 17.3 | 8.1 |
| Belgium | 17.6 | 16.9 | 9.2 |
| Italy | 8.5 | 8.3 | 3.4 |
| Spain | 7.8 | 7.5 | 2.7 |
| Sweden | 7.2 | 6.8 | 2.6 |
| Poland | 5.4 | 4.6 | 1.9 |
| Saudi Arabia | 5.1 | 4.2 | 4.2 |
| Luxembourg | 4.7 | 4.9 | 1.8 |
| Denmark | 4.7 | 4.4 | 1.9 |
| Japan | 4.4 | 3.9 | 1.7 |
| 1) Due to a change in methodology, the figures up to and including 2019 are based on a provisional recalculation. | |||
Switzerland again the Netherlands’ fifth largest export partner
Figure 4.3.5 shows the destinations of the six most important types of services exported, with the five most important export partners being shown separately and the other destinations grouped together. In 2024, Switzerland held fifth position again, replacing France as a member of the leading group in 2023. This meant that the composition of the top 5 was the same as it was in 2022. In 2024, €21.1 billion worth of services were exported to Ireland, putting it in fourth place with an export share of 6.9%. The figure for Switzerland was €18.2 billion, representing a share of 5.9%.The five largest export partners combined accounted for 47.8% of total export value in 2024. At 54.2%, the combined share of the top 5 was largest in travel services, with Germany being by far the most important buyer with a share of 42.1%. The combined share of the top 5 was also substantial in financial services, at €49.1%. Germany leads in this category with 14.0%, closely followed by the US with 12.2%. Germany was also the most important destination for transport services in 2024. The country’s sizeable export share is partly explained by Germany’s geographical proximity to the Netherlands and the logistics function of the port of Rotterdam as a hub for goods transport to Germany (Creemers et al., 2020). The US was the largest importer of Dutch business services.
| Dienstensoort | Germany | US | UK | Ireland | Switzerland | Other |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Business services | 12.4 | 15.8 | 11.3 | 5.5 | 3.6 | 51.5 |
| Transport services | 15.5 | 11.5 | 12.0 | 2.5 | 5.7 | 52.8 |
| Telecommunications, computer and information services |
12.1 | 8.7 | 10.2 | 15.0 | 2.5 | 51.6 |
| Intellectual property fees ¹⁾ |
8.5 | 3.5 | 8.9 | 12.3 | 0.0 | 66.8 |
| Travel services | 42.1 | 4.4 | 5.9 | 0.8 | 1.1 | 45.8 |
| Financial services | 14.0 | 12.2 | 9.5 | 10.9 | 2.5 | 50.9 |
| 1) The export value of intellectual property fees excludes Switzerland for reasons of confidentiality. | ||||||
4.4Dutch services imports in detail
Figure 4.4.1 shows the composition of Dutch services imports. In 2024, the six largest service types accounted for 90.9% of total Dutch services imports. Business services headed the list, followed by transport services and fees for the use of intellectual property. In 2024, business services accounted for over 36% of Dutch import value. For transport services and intellectual property fees, the respective figures were 16.8% and 14.2%. Imports of other services – services related to the treatment and processing of goods, maintenance and repair services, construction services, insurance services, personal, cultural and recreational services, and public services – only accounted for a small proportion of total Dutch services imports.
The import value of all individual types of services was higher in 2024 than in 2023, except for services related to the treatment and processing of goods and public services. The Netherlands purchased less of these two service types in 2024.
Business services imports grew the most in absolute terms
Business services and travel services, among other categories, saw an increase in import value compared to the previous year. In table 4.4.2, which shows a more detailed picture, we see growth particularly in technical and trade-related services, as well as in professional and management consultancy services. Imports of business services grew rapidly in 2024: €6.4 billion worth more were purchased from abroad than in 2023, an increase of 6.6%. The share of business services in Dutch imports grew from 35.8% in 2023 to 36.3% in 2024.
Partly due to the redirection of international financial flows, for several years there were fewer imports of intellectual property (Poulissen et al., 2022), such as licences or the rights to start a franchise. Moreover, multinationals with a presence in the Netherlands regularly invoice royalties for brands, patents, software or content within their own businesses (‘intra-company transactions’). Since 2020, there has again been a steady growth in these fees, but imports of intellectual property remained below the 2019 level in 2024. In 2024, there was an increase of €2.1 billion – or 5.6% – compared to 2023. In 2023, import value was €4.8 billion – or 11.1% – lower than in 2022.
Transport services slightly less significant share of total imports
In 2024, imports of transport services were around €1.6 billion higher than in 2023. This increase can be attributed to a higher import value of passenger transport by air. Despite the growth in import value, transport services lost ground in relative terms: their share of total import value fell from 17.2% in 2023 to 16.8% in 2024. The significance of telecommunications, computer and information services and financial services relative to total imports also declined slightly, their share of imports fell to 9.9% and 5.6%, respectively, in 2024. However, both types of services increased in value.
| 2023* | 2024* | |
|---|---|---|
| billion euros | ||
| Business services | 96.1 | 102.5 |
| Professional and management consulting services | 55.8 | 58.1 |
| Technical, trade-related and other services | 32.4 | 35.4 |
| R&D services | 8.0 | 9.1 |
| Transport services | 46.0 | 47.6 |
| Other transport | 29.0 | 29.2 |
| Maritime shipping | 9.0 | 9.3 |
| Aviation | 6.5 | 7.5 |
| Fees for the use of intellectual property | 38.0 | 40.1 |
| Fees for the use of audiovisual products | . | . |
| Franchises and similar rights | 12.2 | 12.6 |
| Fees for the use of software | 10.1 | . |
| Fees for the use of R&D | . | 3.5 |
| Telecommunications, computer and information services | 27.3 | 28.1 |
| Computer services | 20.0 | 20.4 |
| Telecommunications services | 4.6 | 4.6 |
| Information services | 2.8 | 3.0 |
| Travel | 20.5 | 22.7 |
| Private travel | 18.1 | 20.1 |
| Business travel | 2.4 | 2.7 |
| Financial services | 15.5 | 15.9 |
| Financial services (charged explicitly) | 12.8 | 13.0 |
| Indirectly observed services of financial institutions | 2.7 | 2.9 |
Outbound travel exceeds pre-pandemic level for the first time
Expenditures by Dutch travellers while abroad, also known as outbound travel, are regarded as services imports. In 2024, spending by Dutch travellers abroad was 9.3% higher than in 2019; see Figure 4.4.3. It had declined drastically due to the restrictions to limit the spread of coronavirus in 2020 and 2021. But outbound travel is on the rise again, and achieved a higher value in 2024 than before the pandemic. In 2019, travel services had a 9.5% share of total import value. In 2020 and 2021, that share fell to 3.8%, after which it rose again to 8.0% in 2024. This means that the share of travel services in total import value was still not back to the pre-pandemic level.
| Jaar | Import value (billion euros) | Share in total import value |
|---|---|---|
| 2024* | 22.7 | 8.0 |
| 2023* | 20.5 | 7.6 |
| 2022 | 18.0 | 6.9 |
| 2021 | 8.0 | 3.8 |
| 2020 | 7.3 | 3.8 |
| 2019 | 20.8 | 9.5 |
| 2018 | 19.4 | 9.4 |
| 2017 | 19.6 | 10.6 |
| 2016 | 18.1 | 11.0 |
| 2015 | 18.0 | 9.4 |
| 1)Due to a change in methodology, the figures up to and including 2019 are based on a provisional recalculation. | ||
Europe remains largest supplier of services
The continent of Europe is the main source of Dutch services imports. In 2024, 68.5% of Dutch services were imported from other European countries; see Figure 4.4.4. In 2024, Dutch imports of services from Europe totalled €193.5 billion, 5.6% more than in 2023. We obtained 51.9% of our imports from EU countries, by total import value. Besides Europe, the value of services imported from Asia also grew. In 2024, Dutch services imports from Asian partners totalled €24.4 billion, 9.9% more than in 2023.
| Jaar | Europe | Americas | Asia | Africa | Other |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024* | 68.5 | 21.2 | 8.6 | 0.9 | 0.8 |
| 2023* | 68.3 | 21.8 | 8.3 | 0.8 | 0.8 |
| 1)Due to a change in methodology, the figures up to and including 2019 are based on a provisional recalculation. | |||||
Almost 18% of services imports came from the US
If we look at the individual countries in Figure 4.4.5, we see that the United States supplied the highest value in services imports to the Netherlands in 2024. This has not changed since 2015.
In 2024, import value was €50.5 billion. In 2024, 42.7% of imports from the US consisted of intellectual property fees. Business services also accounted for a relatively large share. Total services imports from the US were some €3.1 billion higher in 2024 than in 2023. This growth is primarily attributable to an increase in import value from intellectual property fees. Examples of intellectual property fees include the use of licences or the rights to start a franchise. See also CBS (2025d) for more details about the US economy and the trade relationship between the Netherlands and the US.
Germany and the United Kingdom completed the top 3. With a share of 35.6%, business services dominated imports from Germany, followed by transport and travel services. Imports from the UK primarily consist of business services, telecommunications, computer and information services, and transport services. Enterprises in the Netherlands imported a higher value of services in 2024 than in 2023 from all the partners listed in Figure 4.4.5 except Luxembourg.
Nearly 90% of intellectual property fees go to the top 5 import partners
Figure 4.4.6 shows the shares of the five main countries of origin for the six most important service types in terms of import value. In 2024, 57.0% of Dutch services imports came from our five main import partners – the US, the UK, Germany, Ireland and France. Imports of business services, intellectual property fees, telecommunications, computer and information services, and financial services were concentrated on the five largest import partners in 2024. In 2024, we imported over half of these services from the US, the UK, Germany, Ireland and France. Nearly 54% of fees for the use or distribution of intellectual property went to the US. Imports of transport and travel services were less concentrated among the five largest import partners; between them, they accounted for 40.8% and 37.0% of the import value of transport and travel services, respectively. Besides the top 5 import partners, a large proportion of transport services came from Belgium, Poland, Italy, Spain and Switzerland. Germany, Spain, France, Belgium and Italy were the countries where Dutch travellers spent the most money in 2024.
| Dienstensoort | US | UK | Germany | Ireland | France | Other |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Business services | 13.6 | 16.7 | 11.9 | 7.5 | 7.5 | 45.3 |
| Transport services | 4.0 | 4.1 | 6.6 | 1.6 | 3.2 | 28.2 |
| Intellectual property fees |
21.6 | 2.4 | 1.4 | 9.8 | 0.6 | 4.2 |
| Telecommunications, computer and information services |
4.5 | 4.4 | 3.1 | 2.7 | 1.4 | 12.1 |
| Travel services | 1.0 | 1.2 | 3.9 | 0.1 | 2.2 | 14.3 |
| Financial services | 2.0 | 3.1 | 1.7 | 0.7 | 1.3 | 7.1 |
4.5The importance of the Netherlands as a supplier of services for other countries
The above sections focus on the importance of partner countries for the Dutch trade in services. In this section and the following one, we analyse the importance of the Netherlands for these partner countries. We do so by looking at this from an international perspective. Our analysis is based on the Balanced Trade in Services (BaTIS) dataset of the OECD-WTO (OECD-WTO, 2025a). In this section, we will analyse the importance of the Netherlands as a supplier of services. From the Dutch perspective, that involves exports, but to the partner countries those are imports.
Trade in services is growing
As mentioned previously in this chapter, services are rapidly gaining in importance in the global economy. This was also shown in the previous edition of Dutch Trade in Facts and Figures (Creemers & Voncken, 2024). Following a substantial drop around the coronavirus pandemic, the global trade in services has been growing year on year. For instance, global services exports were up by 8.3% in 2023 (UNCTAD, 2024). While the increase in global services exports was distributed roughly evenly across the continents, the greatest growth in services imports was seen in Asia, Oceania and Europe (UNCTAD, 2024). Whereas countries have previously pursued economic growth through exports of manufactured goods, there is increasing evidence that services are the future in terms of achieving economic growth (Baldwin & Forslid, 2023; García Guzmán et al., 2024). Thanks to the advent of information technology, economic growth in developed countries is achieved through modern services including financial, business and telecommunications and computer services (Eichengreen & Gupta, 2013). There is also a positive relationship between economic growth and exports of advanced services, which has become more important over the years (Mishra et al., 2011).
Use of data sources for the international perspective
In order to determine the importance of the Netherlands in the services trade of other countries, we are dependent on international data sources. In this edition of Dutch Trade in Facts and Figures, we use the Balanced Trade in Services (BaTIS) dataset of the OECD and WTO, as we did in 2023; see CBS (2023b). Last year, we were forced to deviate from this because at the time of writing, the annual update had not yet taken place. Now that there are new BaTIS figures available, we return to the BaTIS dataset in view of the quality this source provides for making international comparisons. As a result, the figures given for 2022 this year will differ from those in the 2024 edition.
For the BaTIS dataset, the OECD and WTO collect data from the OECD, Eurostat, UN Comtrade, national statistical institutes and additional national sources (OECD-WTO, 2025b). This results in a matrix of bilateral trade flows. Missing flows are then estimated. Finally, the asymmetry in values between the reporting country and the partner country is revalued and rebalanced using an asymmetry index. This results in a dataset for more than 200 countries and 26 service types, with the import and export values between two partner countries matching. In order to interpret the findings based on the OECD-WTO data – and to assure the required quality of the figures – in sections 4.5 and 4.6 we use CBS figures at the level of service type to represent international trade flows.
Rise of specialised services traders
Over the years, global patterns in services exports have undergone quite some change. The constant factor is the dominance of the US. The US has long been the market leader in services exports; see Figure 4.5.1. In 2023, the country’s share stood at 15.3%, virtually identical to its share in 2005. Alongside the US, the UK and Germany also play a significant in services exports. However, the UK’s share has fallen by 2.7 percentage points since 2005, in part due to Brexit (ECB, 2023) and increased competition from countries including neighbouring Ireland. Germany, like France, has seen its share of services exports decline slightly over the years. In contrast, the position of the Netherlands has remained constant over time: since 2005, its share has hovered around 4%; in 2023, it was 3.6%.
The decrease in the share of many West-European countries is in contrast with an increase in the share of the Asian countries China, India and Singapore. Ireland, too, increased in significance as a global exporter of services. Since 2005, China’s share has grown by 0.9 percentage points to reach 4.1% in 2023. The growth of the Chinese economy has played a role in this. The growth of Ireland, Singapore and India has been characterised by their specialisation in specific service sectors. For instance, since 2005 Ireland’s share doubled to 4.5% in 2023 due to its strong digital and business services. In relative terms, India’s growth has been even more pronounced, its share increased from 1.3% in 2005 to 2.9% in 2023, partly due to its IT services (Herbers et al., 2023).
| Land | US | UK | Germany | Ireland | France | China | Netherlands | Singapore | India | Japan |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 15.0 | 8.9 | 6.5 | 2.2 | 5.3 | 3.2 | 4.0 | 1.9 | 1.3 | 3.5 |
| 2006 | 14.7 | 8.9 | 6.4 | 2.2 | 5.2 | 3.3 | 3.9 | 2.1 | 1.5 | 3.4 |
| 2007 | 14.5 | 8.8 | 6.4 | 2.3 | 5.1 | 3.5 | 3.9 | 2.1 | 1.6 | 3.1 |
| 2008 | 14.2 | 8.1 | 6.4 | 2.2 | 5.1 | 3.6 | 3.9 | 2.2 | 1.7 | 3.1 |
| 2009 | 14.9 | 7.8 | 6.5 | 2.3 | 5.1 | 3.5 | 4.1 | 2.2 | 1.8 | 3.0 |
| 2010 | 15.2 | 7.7 | 6.1 | 2.2 | 4.8 | 3.9 | 3.8 | 2.4 | 2.0 | 3.1 |
| 2011 | 15.2 | 7.7 | 6.0 | 2.3 | 4.9 | 3.9 | 3.8 | 2.5 | 2.1 | 3.0 |
| 2012 | 15.7 | 7.6 | 5.9 | 2.2 | 4.7 | 3.9 | 3.7 | 2.6 | 2.1 | 3.0 |
| 2013 | 15.6 | 7.6 | 6.0 | 2.3 | 4.8 | 3.8 | 3.8 | 2.6 | 2.1 | 2.9 |
| 2014 | 15.6 | 7.6 | 6.1 | 2.4 | 4.8 | 3.8 | 3.9 | 2.6 | 2.1 | 3 |
| 2015 | 16.4 | 7.7 | 5.9 | 2.6 | 4.6 | 4.0 | 4.0 | 2.8 | 2.2 | 3.1 |
| 2016 | 16.4 | 7.4 | 6.0 | 2.8 | 4.5 | 3.9 | 3.8 | 2.7 | 2.2 | 3.3 |
| 2017 | 16.1 | 7.2 | 6.0 | 3.1 | 4.5 | 3.8 | 4.0 | 2.8 | 2.3 | 3.2 |
| 2018 | 15.3 | 7.2 | 6.0 | 3.4 | 4.5 | 4.0 | 4.1 | 3.0 | 2.3 | 3.1 |
| 2019 | 15.3 | 7.0 | 5.9 | 3.6 | 4.2 | 3.9 | 4.1 | 3.1 | 2.4 | 3.1 |
| 2020 | 16.3 | 7.7 | 6.3 | 4.7 | 4.1 | 4.4 | 3.9 | 3.6 | 2.6 | 2.9 |
| 2021 | 15.8 | 7.5 | 6.4 | 4.8 | 4.3 | 4.9 | 3.7 | 3.8 | 2.6 | 2.6 |
| 2022 | 15.7 | 7.0 | 6.0 | 4.4 | 4.3 | 4.8 | 3.6 | 3.8 | 2.8 | 2.4 |
| 2023 | 15.3 | 7.2 | 5.8 | 4.5 | 4.2 | 4.1 | 3.6 | 3.5 | 2.9 | 2.5 |
| Source: OECD-WTO (2025a) | ||||||||||
Netherlands: 2nd largest supplier of services to Belgium
In 2023, the Netherlands remained a strong player in the international trade in services, particularly within Europe, where the Dutch share of services imports of various countries increased further. This rise partly reflected the recovery following the pandemic and an increased demand for high-quality business and digital services – sectors in which the Netherlands traditionally has a leading global position. Figure 4.5.2 shows that demand for Dutch services from countries in Central and Eastern Europe, such as Poland and Romania, has increased. In those countries, the Netherlands occupied second place as a supplier of services in 2023, with its the share in Romanian services imports actually rising strongly by 1.1 percentage points in the same year. This is linked to a substantial increase in Romanian demand for business services from the Netherlands. The Netherlands also retained its position in Belgium, France and Finland. The Dutch share in Belgian services imports declined by 0.1 percentage points, but Belgium remained the country where the Netherlands had by far the largest share of services imports (14.4%).
The Dutch share of French services imports grew relatively strongly by 0.7 percentage points in 2023, and the change since 2015 shows that French services importers are increasingly purchasing from Dutch suppliers. Business services in particular have seen a rise in imports from the Netherlands by France. In 2023, a third of French services imports from the Netherlands consisted of business services. Saudi Arabia saw the largest increase in share compared to 2022 in the top 10, with a rise of 1.7 percentage points taking the Dutch share of services imports by that country to 6% in 2023. Brazil’s share halved compared to 2015, the steepest decline seen between 2020 and 2021, when the share of Dutch services in Brazil’s imports fell by over 7.5 percentage points.
| Land | 2023 | 2022 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Belgium | 14.4 | 14.5 | 13.3 |
| Romania | 7.2 | 6.1 | 4.8 |
| Poland | 6.9 | 6.3 | 5.4 |
| France | 6.7 | 6.0 | 4.9 |
| Finland | 6.7 | 6.9 | 4.7 |
| Germany | 6.7 | 6.4 | 6.4 |
| Brazil | 6.1 | 5.9 | 13.3 |
| Sweden | 6.1 | 5.9 | 4.2 |
| Saudi Arabia | 6.0 | 4.3 | 5.6 |
| Switzerland | 6.0 | 6.1 | 4.0 |
| Source: OECD-WTO (2025a) | |||
| 1) Countries with at least 1 billion US dollars in service imports from the Netherlands in 2023. | |||
4.6The importance of the Netherlands as a buyer of services from other countries
As was the case for services exports, global services imports in 2023 were largely dominated by the traditional power blocs, the US being the undisputed leader with a share of 12.3%; see Figure 4.6.1. While its share was slightly down compared to 2022, the US remained by far the largest importer of services worldwide, just as in global services exports. Germany followed some distance behind with a share of 6.8% in 2023, while the UK recovered from a previous decline to a share of 6.4%.
China – which was the Netherlands’ 14th largest import partner in 2023 in terms of value – had previously made a significant advance in services imports, achieving its highest share in the 2015–2019 period, and saw its share rise again slightly to 5.7% following a number of years of contraction. As in services exports, Ireland was also one of the big climbers in services imports. In 2023, the emerald isle’s share stood at 4.5%. The factors behind the sharp rise in Ireland’s share include the presence of large multinationals in the IT sector (Andersson et al., 2023). Just as in services exports, Japan has been losing ground for years, despite the fact that the country has relatively few non-tariff barriers to international services trade in its national legislation.
Indeed, Japan actually scores highest of all the reporting countries in the OECD’s Services Trade Restrictiveness Index (2025).
Nevertheless, Japan’s share was down by 2.8% in 2023, leaving it trailing in tenth place. The Netherlands ranked 7th, with a share of 3.8%, meaning that it has been a stable services importer for over twenty years.
| Jaar | US | Germany | UK | China | Ireland | France | Netherlands | Switzerland | Singapore | Japan |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 13.1 | 7.8 | 7.8 | 3 | 2.6 | 4.8 | 3.8 | 3.2 | 2 | 4.6 |
| 2006 | 13 | 7.5 | 7.6 | 3.1 | 2.6 | 4.7 | 4.2 | 3.1 | 2 | 4.2 |
| 2007 | 12.3 | 7.4 | 7.5 | 3.3 | 2.7 | 4.6 | 4.2 | 3.2 | 2 | 3.8 |
| 2008 | 11.9 | 7.3 | 7 | 3.5 | 2.8 | 4.7 | 4.2 | 3.2 | 2.1 | 3.7 |
| 2009 | 12.4 | 7.1 | 6.7 | 3.8 | 2.9 | 4.7 | 4.4 | 3.5 | 2.1 | 3.7 |
| 2010 | 12.3 | 6.9 | 6.5 | 4.3 | 2.8 | 4.5 | 3.6 | 3.5 | 2.3 | 3.8 |
| 2011 | 11.9 | 6.9 | 6.3 | 4.7 | 2.9 | 4.5 | 3.6 | 3.5 | 2.3 | 3.6 |
| 2012 | 12 | 6.7 | 6.1 | 5.1 | 2.6 | 4.3 | 3.4 | 3.5 | 2.4 | 3.7 |
| 2013 | 11.5 | 7 | 6.1 | 5.6 | 2.6 | 4.5 | 3.4 | 3.6 | 2.6 | 3.4 |
| 2014 | 11.4 | 6.7 | 6.3 | 6.3 | 2.7 | 4.6 | 3.7 | 3.6 | 2.7 | 3.4 |
| 2015 | 11.8 | 6.4 | 6.4 | 6.9 | 3.2 | 4.4 | 4 | 3.5 | 2.7 | 3.3 |
| 2016 | 12 | 6.5 | 6.3 | 7.1 | 3.8 | 4.4 | 3.6 | 3.5 | 2.8 | 3.4 |
| 2017 | 11.8 | 6.6 | 6.3 | 6.8 | 3.8 | 4.3 | 3.9 | 3.5 | 2.9 | 3.3 |
| 2018 | 11.4 | 6.6 | 6.4 | 7 | 3.8 | 4.3 | 4.1 | 3.4 | 3 | 3.2 |
| 2019 | 11.5 | 6.5 | 6.2 | 6.7 | 5.6 | 4.1 | 4 | 3.3 | 2.9 | 3.3 |
| 2020 | 11.8 | 6.5 | 6.1 | 6 | 6.2 | 4.2 | 4 | 3.7 | 3.3 | 3.5 |
| 2021 | 12.5 | 6.8 | 5.9 | 5.8 | 4.8 | 4.1 | 3.9 | 3.7 | 3.3 | 3.2 |
| 2022 | 12.9 | 6.8 | 6.1 | 5.4 | 4.4 | 4 | 3.8 | 3.5 | 3.4 | 2.9 |
| 2023 | 12.3 | 6.8 | 6.4 | 5.7 | 4.5 | 4.1 | 3.8 | 3.5 | 3.3 | 2.8 |
| Source: OECD-WTO (2025a) | ||||||||||
Netherlands share of services from Barbados doubles in 2023
The Netherlands also buys many services from its partner countries, with some significant increases in recent years. The most eye-catching of these was Barbados, where the Dutch share of services exports rose spectacularly from only 0.2% in 2015 to 21.2% in 2023. This increase may suggest a specific economic relationship, such as tax-related structures routed via the Netherlands. Relative to 2022, the Dutch share of services from Barbados doubled, to a level similar to that seen in 2020 and 2021. In 2019, one-third of services exports from Barbados went to our country. The growth in 2023 is mainly due to the fact that the Netherlands has been importing more professional and management consultancy services from Barbados. As a result, the Netherlands was the second-largest export destination for Barbados in 2023, after the US.
The Netherlands remained an important buyer of services for our neighbouring countries, too. In 2023, Belgium sent 16.1% of its total services exports to the Netherlands, a slight decrease compared to 2022. Nevertheless, the Netherlands retains its position as the primary destination for Belgian services exports. The Dutch share of German services exports has been increasing since 2015 and climbed to 7.2% in 2023. This growth is primarily due to a rise in Dutch imports of financial services and business services from Germany.
For Central and Eastern European countries such as Romania and Poland, the picture was mixed. Poland saw a peak of 7.3% in 2022, but this share fell back slightly to 6.8% in 2023. Romania, by contrast, displayed a slight increase to 7.3% in 2023, with transport services and business services being the Netherlands’ leading imports from that country. Lithuanian transport services destined for the Netherlands rose sharply in value in 2023 and accounted for 58.4% of total Dutch services imports from Lithuania. This means that the Dutch share of Lithuanian services exports was stable at 6.7% in both 2022 and 2023. Norway has been supplying more services to the Netherlands in all categories – except business services, which contracted sharply – and saw the Netherlands’ share as an export destination increase to 6.3%. The Dutch share of Maltese exports rose to 5.5% in 2023, with the Netherlands purchasing Maltese transport services, intellectual property fees, business services, and telecommunications, computer and information services in particular.
| Land | 2023 | 2022 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Barbados | 21.2 | 10.6 | 0.2 |
| Belgium | 16.1 | 16.6 | 14.6 |
| Romania | 7.3 | 6.8 | 8.0 |
| Germany | 7.2 | 6.6 | 6.3 |
| Poland | 6.8 | 7.3 | 5.3 |
| Lithuania | 6.7 | 6.7 | 3.5 |
| France | 6.4 | 6.5 | 5.1 |
| Norway | 6.3 | 5.2 | 4.1 |
| Ireland | 5.6 | 5.9 | 6.1 |
| Malta | 5.5 | 4.9 | 2.4 |
| Source: OECD-WTO (2025a) | |||
| 1) Partner countries with services exports to the Netherlands worth at least US$ 1 billion in 2023. | |||
4.7References
References
Andersson, M., Byrne, S., Emter, L., González Pardo, B., Jarvis, V., & Zorell, N. (2023). Intangible assets of multinational enterprises in Ireland and their impact on euro area GDP. European Central Bank.
Baldwin, R. (2024, 17 January). China: The world’s sole manufacturing superpower – A line sketch of the rise. VoxEU.
Baldwin, R., Freeman, R., & Theodorakopoulos, A. (2024). Deconstructing deglobalization: The future of trade is in intermediate services. Asian Economic Policy Review, 19(1), 18–37.
Baldwin, R., & Forslid, R. (2020). Globotics and development: When manufacturing is jobless and services are tradable. NBER Working Paper, Nr. 26731. National Bureau of Economic Research.
CBS (2016, 13 October). Export van diensten goed voor 10 procent bbp. Statistics Netherlands.
CBS (2017). Internationalisation Monitor 2017, second quarter: International trade in services. Statistics Netherlands.
CBS (2022). International trade; Imports and exports of services 2014–2020. [Dataset]. Accessed on 30 April 2025.
CBS (2023a). International trade; Imports and exports of services by country, quarter. [Dataset]. Accessed on 16 May 2025.
CBS (2023b). Dutch Trade in Facts and Figures 2023: Exports, imports & investment. Statistics Netherlands.
CBS (2024). Earnings and labour volume; export flows. [Dataset]. Accessed on 20 May 2025.
CBS (2025a). Manual on Internation trade in services. Version 2025. Statistics Netherlands.
CBS (2025b). Approaches of gross domestic product (GDP); national accounts. [Dataset]. Accessed on 18 June 2025.
CBS (2025c). GDP, output and expenditures; changes, Quarterly National Accounts. [Dataset]. Accessed on 16 May 2025.
CBS (2025d). Internationalisation Monitor 2025, first edition: United States. Statistics Netherlands.
Creemers, S., Jacobs, M., Lammertsma, A., Ras, P., & Rooyakkers, J. (2020). Trends in bilateral trade with Germany. In S. Creemers, M. Jaarsma & A. Lammertsma (Reds.), Internationalisation Monitor 2020, first edition: Germany. Statistics Netherlands.
Creemers, S., & Voncken, R. (2024). International trade in services. In S. Creemers, M. Houben-van Herten & R. Voncken (Reds.), Dutch Trade in Facts and Figures 2024: Exports, imports & investment. Statistics Netherlands.
Eichengreen, B., & Gupta, P. (2013). The two waves of service-sector growth. Oxford Economic Papers, 65(1), 96–123.
ECB (2023). The impact of Brexit on UK–EU trade. ECB Economic Bulletin, Issue 2/2023. European Central Bank.
European Commission (2023). Annual Single Market Report 2023. Commission Staff Working Document.
García Guzmán, P., Grahed, A., Javorcik, B., & Schweiger, H. (2024, 27 November). The rise of services exports: New pathways for growth. VoxEU. Accessed on 15 May 2025.
Herbers, D., Creemers, S., & Rooyakkers, J. (2023). Dutch services trade with India. In S. Creemers & D. Herbers (Reds.), Internationalisation Monitor 2023, first edition: India. Statistics Netherlands.
Low, P. (2013). The role of services in global value chains. In D. Elms & P. Low (Reds.), Global value chains in a changing world. WTO iLibrary.
Miroudot, S., & Cadestin, C. (2017). Services In Global Value Chains: From Inputs to Value- Creating Activities. OECD Trade Policy Papers, 197. Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development.
Mishra, S., Lundström, S., & Anand, R. (2011). Service export sophistication and economic growth. World Bank Policy Research Working Paper, (5606). Accessed on 15 May 2025.
Nayyar, G., Hallward-Driemeier, M., & Davies, E. (2021). At Your Service?: The Promise of Services-Led Development. International Bank for Reconstruction and Development/The World Bank.
OECD (2023). Right here, right now? New evidence on the economic effects of services trade reform. Organisatie voor Economische Samenwerking en Ontwikkeling. Accessed on 19 May 2025.
OECD (2025). OECD Services Trade Restrictiveness Index: Policy trends up to 2025. Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development.
OECD-WTO. (2025a). Balanced trade in services (BaTIS). [Dataset]. Accessed on 18 February 2025.
OECD-WTO. (2025b). The OECD-WTO Balanced Trade in Services Database (BaTIS). Accessed on 21 May 2025.
Poulissen, D., Rooyakkers, J., & Smit, R. (2022). Services trade in turbulent times. In D. Herbers & J. Rooyakkers (Reds.), Internationalisation Monitor 2022, second quarter: Trade in services: Opportunities and barriers. Statistics Netherlands.
Sauvé, P. (2023, 19 September). Services offer a springboard to jobs and growth for developing countries. World Bank Blogs. Accessed on 19 May 2025.
Smid, R. (2025). China’s positie als fabriek van de wereld wordt aan alle kanten bedreigd. Het Financieele Dagblad. Accessed on 3 June 2025.
The Economist (2019, 24 January). Globalisation has faltered. Accessed on 16 May 2025.
The Economist (2025, 18 January). Inside the Houthis’ moneymaking machine: After a ceasefire in Gaza, they may continue their Red Sea racket. Accessed on 1 July 2025.
UNCTAD (2024, September). Trade in Services: Annual Bulletin 2023 (UNCTAD/STAT/INF/2024/4). United Nations Conference on Trade and Development. Accessed on 15 May 2025.
Volkerink, M., van Moock, F., & van Rooij, M. (2024). Arbeidsmarktkrapte: het nieuwe normaal? De Nederlandsche Bank (DNB).
Voncken, R., Lemmers, O., Rozendaal, L., & van Berkel, F. (2015). ‘Made in the world’: oorzaken en gevolgen. In M. Jaarsma (Reds.), Internationalisation Monitor 2015, first quarter. Statistics Netherlands.
Wache, B., Boeters, S., Freeman, D., Meijerink, G., van ’t Riet, M., & Sommer, K. (2024). Het belang van de Nederlandse diensten in wereldwijde goederenproductie. Netherlands Bureau for Economic Policy Analysis.
WTO (2019). World Trade Report 2019: The Future of services trade. World Trade Organization.
WTO (2024). Global Trade Outlook and Statistics. World Trade Organization. Accessed on 19 May 2025.
WTO & World Bank (2023). Trade in services for development: fostering sustainable growth and economic diversification.