Facts and Figures
The Netherlands:
1st in retirement savings and income system globally
(Mercer / Global Pension Index 2011)
1st in broadband penetration globally
(OECD 2011)
1st in commodity trading globally
(FD 2011)
1st in global connectedness
(DHL / Global Connectedness Index 2011)
1st most enterprising nation in Europe
(EIM 2011)
2nd most affluent country in Europe
(CBS 2011)
3rd best county to live worldwide
(UNDP 2011)
3rd largest non-banking sector (leasing, brokers, securitizations, money markets) worldwide
(Financial Stability Board 2011)
5th best ICT-infrastructure worldwide
(The Economist 2010)
6th highest amount of innovative companies worldwide
(Thomson Reuters / Top 100 global innovators 2011)
7th largest banking sector globally
(Bank of International Settlements (BIS) 2011)
7th most developed financial sector globally
(World Economic Forum / Financial Development Index 2011)
7th most stable financial centre globally
(IMF 2010)
7th most competitive country worldwide
(World Economic Forum / Global Competitiveness Index 2011-2012)
8th in GDP (nominal) per capita globally
(IMF 2010)
8th position in world best universities
(Webometrics Ranking 2011)
9th position worldwide amount of company global headquarters
(Fortune 500 2011)
10th most open economy for international trade worldwide
(WEF Global Enabling Trade Report 2010)
16th largest economy worldwide
(IMF 2011)
In addition to supporting the Dutch economy and the international activities of Dutch businesses, the financial industry creates job opportunities. In the Netherlands, approximately 270,000 people are employed in the financial industry as a whole, in comparison with 310,000 in London, 300,000 in New York and 185,000 in Switzerland. The financial industry also creates jobs indirectly, in the Telekom and ICT industries, and in other businesses providing facilities and services. Research conducted abroad indicates a job creation ratio of one direct to two indirect jobs.