Enterprises; sourcing abroad, business function and destination

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Business functions Destination Enterprises sourcing abroad (Number)
Total European Union (excl. the Netherlands) 415
European countries other than EU 125
Core business functions European Union (excl. the Netherlands) 300
European countries other than EU 90
Support business functions European Union (excl. the Netherlands) 260
European countries other than EU 55
Production of goods and products European Union (excl. the Netherlands) 150
European countries other than EU 25
Management and administration European Union (excl. the Netherlands) 180
European countries other than EU 55
Engineering and technical services European Union (excl. the Netherlands) 65
European countries other than EU 20
Research and development European Union (excl. the Netherlands) 65
European countries other than EU 20
ICT services European Union (excl. the Netherlands) 95
European countries other than EU 30
Marketing, sales and customer services European Union (excl. the Netherlands) 120
European countries other than EU 25
Transport and logistics services European Union (excl. the Netherlands) 90
European countries other than EU 15
Other business functions European Union (excl. the Netherlands) 55
European countries other than EU 10
Source: CBS.
Explanation of symbols

Table explanation


This table contains figures on the number of market‑oriented active enterprises in the Netherlands within the branches of manufacturing and energy, and commercial services, that during the reference period sourced business functions abroad. The table focuses on a subset of larger enterprises in the Netherlands. It concerns active enterprises with an average of at least 50 employed persons in the final reference year, based on the General Business Register. Dormant (non‑active) units and enterprises that have completely left the Netherlands are excluded. The figures cover all enterprises that were active for at least part of the reference period and that remained active at the end of that period. The distribution of enterprises is shown by sourced business function, by region, or by partner type to which the business functions were relocated.

Data available from: 2021-2023

Status of the figures:
The figures for 2021-2023 are provisional, pending comparison with the next reference period.

Changes as of 27 February 2026:
None, this is a new table.

When will new figures be published?
By the end of 2028 at the latest, the figures for 2024-2026 will be published. The figures for 2021-2023 will then become final.

Description topics

Enterprises sourcing abroad
Number of market-oriented active enterprises within the branches of manufacturing and energy, and commercial services, with at least 50 employed persons, that have sourced business functions abroad during the reference period.

Enterprise: The actual transactor in the production process characterized by independence with respect to decisions about that process and by offering its products to third parties. When this extends across different countries, for the purpose of national statistics the Dutch part is regarded as a single enterprise.

The population consists of active enterprises in the Netherlands recorded in the business register. Dormant (inactive) units and enterprises that have completely left the Netherlands are excluded. The figures cover all enterprises that were active for at least part of the reference period and that remained active at the end of that period.