nnean Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008

telephone: [1] (202) 244-5300

FAX: [1] (202) 362-3430

consulate(s) general: Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, New York

consulate(s): Boston

Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador
Cynthia P. SCHNEIDER

embassy: Lange Voorhout 102, 2514 EJ, The Hague

mailing address: PSC 71, Box 1000, APO AE 09715

telephone: [31] (70) 310-9209

FAX: [31] (70) 361-4688

consulate(s) general: Amsterdam

Flag description: three equal horizontal bands of red (top), white,
and blue; similar to the flag of Luxembourg, which uses a lighter
blue and is longer

Netherlands Economy

Economy - overview: The Netherlands is a prosperous and open economy
depending heavily on foreign trade. The economy is noted for stable
industrial relations, moderate inflation, a sizable current account
surplus, and an important role as a European transportation hub.
Industrial activity is predominantly in food processing, chemicals,
petroleum refining, and electrical machinery. A highly mechanized
agricultural sector employs no more than 4% of the labor force but
provides large surpluses for the food-processing industry and for
exports. The Dutch rank third worldwide in value of agricultural
exports, behind the US and France. The Dutch economy has expanded by
3% or more in each of the last four years and real GDP growth is
likely to be about 3.6% in 2001. The government in 2001 will
implement its most comprehensive tax reform since World War II,
designed to reduce high income tax levels and redirect the fiscal
burden onto consumption. The Dutch were among the first 11 EU
countries establishing the euro currency zone on 1 January 1999.

GDP: purchasing power parity - $388.4 billion (2000 est.)

GDP - real growth rate: 4% (2000 est.)

GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $24,400 (2000 est.)

GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 3.3%

industry: 26.3%

services: 70.4% (2000 est.)

Population below poverty line: NA%

Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%:
2.8%

highest 10%: 25.1% (1994)

Inflation rate (consumer prices): 2.6% (2000 est.)

Labor force: 7.2 million (2000)

Labor force - by occupation: services 73%, industry 23%, agriculture
4% (1998 est.)

Unemployment rate: 2.6% (2000 est.)

Budget: revenues: $134 billion

expenditures: $134 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA
(2001 est.)

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