Enterprises; sourcing abroad, motives and barriers

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Factors Importance of factors Enterprises; sourced or concidered (number)
Reduction of labour costs Total 815
Very important 305
Important 290
Not important 100
Not applicable/ Do not know 125
Other cost savings Total 815
Very important 130
Important 370
Not important 135
Not applicable/ Do not know 185
Access to new markets Total 815
Very important 145
Important 190
Not important 205
Not applicable/ Do not know 280
Lack of labour in The Netherlands Total 815
Very important 90
Important 270
Not important 190
Not applicable/ Do not know 260
Access to knowledge/technologies Total 815
Very important 55
Important 210
Not important 245
Not applicable/ Do not know 310
Improved quality Total 815
Very important 50
Important 175
Not important 280
Not applicable/ Do not know 310
Focus on core business Total 815
Very important 95
Important 240
Not important 225
Not applicable/ Do not know 260
Reduced delivery times Total 815
Very important 60
Important 200
Not important 255
Not applicable/ Do not know 305
Decisions taken by the parent company Total 815
Very important 245
Important 295
Not important 90
Not applicable/ Do not know 190
More favourable conditions abroad Total 815
Very important 70
Important 195
Not important 185
Not applicable/ Do not know 365
COVID-19 related effects Total 815
Very important 5
Important 45
Not important 310
Not applicable/ Do not know 455
Sanctions on Russia Total 815
Very important 10
Important 30
Not important 275
Not applicable/ Do not know 500
Evironmental policy related factors Total 815
Very important 35
Important 60
Not important 230
Not applicable/ Do not know 495
Source: CBS.
Explanation of symbols

Table explanation


This table contains figures on 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 or considered doing so. The table covers the motives and barriers that played a role in the decision or consideration to source activities abroad, and the degree of importance of these factors. It focuses on larger enterprises with an average of at least 50 employed persons in the latest reference year. 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 branch (SIC 2008), by motive or barrier, and by the importance of the factors.

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; sourced or concidered
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 or considered sourcing 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.