Dutch economic growth continues; 1Q shows improvement

The Dutch economy grew by 0.6 percent in the first quarter of this year compared to the last quarter of 2014. This is according to the second calculation of economic growth by Statistics Netherlands. In the first calculation, which was published on May 13th, the growth was 0.4 percent. According to Statistics Netherlands, the picture of the economy has not changed. The growth is still supported more broadly, with investment, consumption and exports making a positive contribution. Compared to the same period last year, the Dutch economy grew by 2.5 percent in the first quarter of 2015. The first calculation had the economic growth at 2.4 percent. The number of jobs in the first quarter was at the same level than in the fourth quarter of 2014. Compared to the first quarter of 2014, the number of jobs increased by 71 thousand. With the publication of the second calculation of the first quarter of this year, Statistics Netherlands also revised the annual figures for 2012, 2013 and 2014. Based on newly available information the economic growth were adjusted from -1.6 to -1.1 percent in 2012, from -0.7 to -0.5 in 2013 and from 0.9 to 1 percent in 2014.