The business economy in the Netherlands can be divided into four sectors. Although the classification of these sectors may vary somewhat, the most common four sectors are as follows:
Overview
Sectors in Holland
PRIMARY SECTOR:
This is the sector that deals with the production of raw materials, such as agriculture, fisheries, forestry, and mining. In the Netherlands, agriculture is an important part of the primary sector, particularly the production of flowers, dairy, and vegetables.
SECONDARY SECTOR:
This sector includes the processing of raw materials into finished products, i.e., industry. This covers manufacturing, construction, and utilities (energy, water, and waste management). In the Netherlands, the chemical industry, food industry, and electronics industry are significant players.
TERTIARY SECTOR:
This is the service sector, which encompasses a wide range of activities, such as retail, hospitality, financial services, education, and healthcare. The Netherlands has a strong service sector, particularly in trade, logistics, and business services.
QUATERNARY SECTOR:
This sector consists of non-commercial services, such as public administration, defense, social security, and other government services. In the Netherlands, both the national government and local and regional governments play an important role in providing these services.
Dividing the business economy into these sectors helps in analyzing economic trends and assessing the performance of the economy as a whole.