Economic growth in all Dutch provinces last year; Unemployment up in most of them
The Dutch economy grew by 1.8 percent last year, compared to 1.1 percent in 2024. All 12 Dutch provinces recorded economic growth, but ten of them also saw an increase in unemployment, Statistics Netherlands (CBS) reported on Thursday.
Friesland’s economy showed the strongest growth at 2.4 percent. This is remarkable given that the Frisian economy was still contracting in 2024. Groningen’s economy also grew again after several years of contraction, mainly driven by trade, government, and healthcare, CBS said.
Limburg had the lowest economic growth at 0.8 percent. Despite this, 2025 was more favorable for the province in several aspects, the statistics office said. Unemployment remained stable, the number of bankruptcies decreased, and business confidence was higher.
Despite recording economic growth, the overall picture was less favorable than in 2024 for Flevoland and Zeeland. Both provinces saw increases in unemployment and bankruptcies, and a decline in business confidence.
Unemployment increased in all provinces except Utrecht and Limburg, where it remained stable last year. Zuid-Holland had the highest unemployment at 4.5 percent, and Zeeland had the lowest at 3.2 percent.
Higher unemployment meant a less tight labor market. Last year, there were 98 open vacancies per 100 unemployed people nationwide, down from 108 vacancies per 100 unemployed in 2024. The tension in the labor market decreased in all provinces. Zeeland and Utrecht had the tightest labor markets, both with 122 vacancies per 100 unemployed people.
For the first time this year, CBS also looked at the broad prosperity in the different provinces. It compared provinces and regions based on components like health, safety, housing, work, leisure, and the environment. A province performs well if it frequently ranks in the top group and less well if it often languishes at the bottom.
Utrecht and Friesland score relatively well for both life now and opportunities for future generations. Utrecht scored well on income, work, and health. Friesland did well on safety, environment, social cohesion, and nature.
Flevoland scored relatively low for broad prosperity “here and now,” with lower scores for accessibility to amenities, social cohesion, and life satisfaction. Broad prosperity for future generations looks more favorable, particularly given the province’s large amount of nature and space.
