UK third largest destination in service exports

Last year, Germany was the largest foreign market for services (27.3 billion euros). This export flow increased by more than 10 percent on the previous year. Service exports to Ireland rose by nearly 13 percent in the same period. Other major destinations for Dutch services are the United States, Belgium, France, Singapore, Switzerland, Saudi Arabia and Spain.

In 2018, total service exports amounted to 206.3 billion euros (nearly 7 percent up on the previous year), growing more rapidly than service exports to the UK. As a result, the UK’s share in the purchase of Dutch services decreased slightly from 11.8 percent in 2017 to 11.5 percent in 2018.

Strongest increase in business services exports

Out of all service types, exports of technical and other business services to the UK measured in euros grew most significantly between 2017 and 2018. These include services in oil and gas extraction, which increased from 4.6 billion to over 5 billion euros. Exports of professional and management consulting services (+232 million euros) and of construction services (+225 million euros) also performed well in 2018. After technical and other business services, computer and information as well as transport services represent the largest categories of service exports to the UK.

Highest exports by information and communication companies

Exports to the UK can also be looked at from a sector perspective. Which sectors provide services to the UK most often? Figures are available for the year 2016. Companies may offer more than one type of service. For example, manufacturing companies may offer technical services on top of their manufacturing services.

Information and communication companies combined spend the highest value in exports to the UK. This sector accounts for 23 percent of the total export value and 18 percent of the total number (over 16 thousand) of companies exporting to the UK. Companies engaging in consulting, research and other specialist business services are best represented in service exports (35 percent). In terms of export value, they come in second at 19 percent. Other sectors which are leading in service exports to the UK are transport and storage, manufacturing and wholesale and retail trade.

The United Kingdom is set to leave the European Union. In a special dashboard, Statistics Netherlands is showing the main indicators for economic relationships between the United Kingdom and the Netherlands: the Brexit Monitor.