<hdr>The World Factbook 1994: Netherlands<nl>Economy</hdr><body>
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<item><hi format=bold>Overview:</hi> This highly developed and affluent economy is based on private enterprise. The government makes its presence felt, however, through many regulations, permit requirements, and welfare programs affecting most aspects of economic activity. The trade and financial services sector contributes over 50% of GDP. Industrial activity provides about 25% of GDP and is led by the food-processing, oil-refining, and metalworking industries. The highly mechanized agricultural sector employs only 5% of the labor force, but provides large surpluses for export and the domestic food-processing industry. Rising unemployment and a sizable budget deficit are currently the most serious economic problems. Many of the economic issues of the 1990s will reflect the course of European economic integration.
<item><hi format=bold>National product:</hi> GDP—purchasing power equivalent—$262.8 billion (1993)
<item><hi format=bold>National product real growth rate:</hi> -0.2% (1993)
<item><hi format=bold>National product per capita:</hi> $17,200 (1993)
<item>• <hi format=ital>consumption per capita:</hi> 4,200 kWh (1992)
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<item><hi format=bold>Industries:</hi> agroindustries, metal and engineering products, electrical machinery and equipment, chemicals, petroleum, fishing, construction, microelectronics
<item><hi format=bold>Agriculture:</hi> accounts for 4.6% of GDP; animal production predominates; crops—grains, potatoes, sugar beets, fruits, vegetables; shortages of grain, fats, and oils
<item><hi format=bold>Illicit drugs:</hi> gateway for cocaine, heroin, and hashish entering Europe; European producer of illicit amphetamines and other synthetic drugs
<item><hi format=bold>Economic aid:</hi>
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<item>• <hi format=ital>donor:</hi> ODA and OOF commitments (1970-89), $19.4 billion
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<item><hi format=bold>Currency:</hi> 1 Netherlands guilder, gulden, or florin (f.)=100 cents