Netherlands among Europe's top 5 innovators

NL continues as leading innovator in Europe

The Netherlands continues to assert its position as a key innovator in Europe, maintaining a position in the top 5 in the European Innovation Scoreboard 2024. The EIS report categorises countries into groups like Innovation Leaders and Strong Innovators based on their performance relative to the EU average. Most EU countries have improved their innovation performance since 2017, with some fluctuations among performance groups and opportunities for improvement.

Innovation Leaders include four Member States where performance is above 125% of the EU average in 2024 (equal to 110.0). This group includes (in order of performance) Denmark, Sweden, Finland, and the Netherlands. However, recent findings indicate a trend of diminishing lead over other European nations.

EIS 2024 sees the Netherlands score 26% above the EU average, firmly placing it among Europe's innovation leaders. Despite this ranking, Minister Dirk Beljaarts of Economic Affairs notes caution, highlighting regulatory pressures and funding challenges that are particularly burdensome for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). These factors, he argues, have contributed to a slight decline in the country's innovation performance compared to previous years.

Dutch innovation strengths and weaknesses

The Netherlands stands out due to its strong education system, top-notch research institutions, and digitally proficient population. These attributes have bolstered its ability to innovate and apply digital technologies effectively. However, the country continues to struggle with low levels of private investment in innovation, an area where it remains below the EU average. While there has been a slight improvement in 2024, the disparity underscores a key area for improvement.

NL was one of the top 3 performers in the Human Resources dimension, which evaluates the availability of a highly skilled and educated workforce. This encompasses three indicators: new STEM doctorate graduates, the percentage of the population aged 25-34 with tertiary education, and the proportion of individuals aged 25-64 engaged in lifelong learning. 

The Netherlands continues to strengthen its status as a leading innovator in Europe. However, the challenges highlighted by the European Innovation Scoreboard call for action from both the Dutch government and the private sector. To maintain and enhance the country's innovation prowess amidst evolving global competition, targeted measures are essential.

Find out more about Amsterdam’s innovation landscape