Infrastructure’s contribution has tripled, but its share of the economy has fallen

Despite the tripling in euro terms, infrastructure’s share of the Dutch economy fell. In 1995, infrastructure accounted for 12.9 per cent of total value added, compared with 11.6 per cent in 2024. That decline was not uninterrupted: in 2022, the share was still 13.2 per cent. [1]

The figures refer to gross value added: the additional value generated each year through the use and construction of infrastructure. They therefore do not represent the value of all existing roads, networks and other facilities, or the amount invested in them. The publication does not show how large the increase is after adjusting for inflation.

CBS carried out the research at the request of Next Generation Infrastructures (NGinfra). The statistics agency uses a broad definition. It includes thirteen industries in the production and supply chains for areas including energy, transport, information and telecommunications, water management, drinking water and waste management. Infrastructure here therefore means more than roads and railway lines. [1]

Shift from natural gas to energy companies

CBS attributes the smaller share of the economy since 2014 largely to the winding down of natural gas extraction. Within infrastructure, the share accounted for by mining and quarrying fell from 16 per cent in 1995 to 5 per cent in 2024. Energy companies, by contrast, saw their share rise from 12 to 19 per cent. They thus made the largest contribution in 2024, according to the provisional industry figures. [1]

By far the largest share of value added comes from the operation of existing infrastructure. In 2024, this amounted to around €109 billion. Construction of new infrastructure and major maintenance together accounted for €7.3 billion in value added. This latter figure is therefore not the sum of investment expenditure either. [1]