Dutch economy once again the most competitive economy in the European Union Wednesday, 27 September 2017

According to the Global Competitiveness Report 2017-2018 by the World Economic Forum (WEF), the Netherlands is ranked fourth in the WEF’s Global Competitiveness Index on account of its strong basis and world-class innovation ecosystem.

For the second year running, the Netherlands has hung on to a historically high ranking, coming fourth in the Global Competitiveness Index, according to the Global Competitiveness Report 2017-2018, which has just been released by the World Economic Forum (WEF). The research underpinning this annual indicator of international competitiveness was carried out in 137 countries. The data for the Netherlands were collected by the Erasmus Centre for Business Innovation, which is part of the Rotterdam School of Management, Erasmus University (RSM), led by Prof. Henk W. Volberda. The Centre is a partner institute of the World Economic Forum.

The main findings of the report (which can be read here in Dutch) are as follows:

1. The Netherlands has maintained its leading position in the European Union on account of its strong basis (investments in infrastructure and a sound macro-economic policy). The country is once again ranked fourth in the WEF Global Competitiveness Index.
2. In addition to a strong basis, the Netherlands now also boasts a world-class innovation ecosystem.
3. The new government must continue the current ‘top sector policy’ (i.e., focus on selected R&D areas), in conjunction with a regional innovation policy.
4. The decreasing quality of our higher education is an area of concern.
5. The current government’s macro-economic policy and the reorganisation of financial markets, along with job market reforms, have considerably strengthened the Netherlands’ international competitiveness.
6. Making the job market more flexible and providing employees with a higher level of protection will result in more jobs and less inequality.
7. Switzerland has maintained its top ranking, with the USA being the new runner-up. Hong Kong showed the greatest improvement among the top-10 nations (rank 6), while Singapore, Sweden, the UK and Japan each fell in the rankings by one spot.
8. Like advanced Western economies, emerging economies are increasingly able to innovate.

Download the full report here (Dutch)

Rotterdam School of Management, Erasmus University (RSM) is one of Europe’s top 10 business schools. RSM provides ground-breaking research and education furthering excellence in all aspects of management and is based in the international port city of Rotterdam – a vital nexus of business, logistics and trade. RSM’s primary focus is on developing business leaders with international careers who can become a force for positive change by carrying their innovative mindset into a sustainable future. Our first-class range of bachelor, master, MBA, PhD and executive programmes encourage them to become critical, creative, caring and collaborative thinkers and doers. Study information and activities for future students, executives and alumni are also organised from the RSM office in Chengdu, China. www.rsm.nl

For more information about RSM or this release, please contact Ramses Singeling, Media Officer for RSM, on +31 10 408 2028 or by email at singeling@rsm.nl.

Photo (CC AT NC): Frans Schouwenburg