Digitization by SMEs, the use of digital innovations, and the quality of digital infrastructure have improved. At the same time, the pace is too slow to keep the Netherlands among the world leaders, there is a significant shortage of ICT specialists, and private investments in digital infrastructure are lagging. This is evident from the progress report of the cabinet strategy Digital Economy, which the council of ministers has approved at the proposal of Minister Beljaarts of Economic Affairs.

The House of Representatives has been informed about the status of the five cabinet ambitions. These ambitions should lead to, among other things, every consumer and every entrepreneur having access to the internet with a speed of at least 1 Gigabit per second by 2030, that 95% of SMEs are focused on digitization, and that improved cybersecurity in businesses is the norm.

Minister Beljaarts: “In 2022 we set ambitious goals for the digital economy. It is one of the driving forces behind our future jobs and income. The Netherlands is now among the world leaders. However, the speed of technological developments outside the EU and poor labor productivity growth increasingly put our opportunities under pressure. Therefore, the cabinet is taking extra action to address the shortage of ICT specialists and unnecessary regulatory burdens, and to support more private investments in advanced technologies such as AI and cloud.”

The cabinet strategy aims for an entrepreneurial, innovative, sustainable, and safe digital economy in which everyone in the Netherlands can participate. This effort also contributes to reducing undesirable risky dependencies on countries outside the EU in the Netherlands and Europe. With the strategy, public interests are better defended, and economic resilience is increased.

Accelerating digitization of SMEs

The cabinet ambition is to be among the top 3 in Europe by 2030 regarding the application of digital technologies by SMEs. This means that 95% of Dutch SMEs apply at least a basic level of digitization compared to 75% in 2021. Meanwhile, the basic level has risen to 81.5% in 2024. Substantial steps are still needed to reach 95%.

Additionally, the goal is to increase the use of advanced digital technologies - such as cloud, artificial intelligence (AI), and data analytics - within SMEs to at least 75% by 2030. More SME entrepreneurs are now applying AI (from 13% to 23%) and cloud services (from 64% to 71%). However, the development of Dutch and European innovations, especially regarding cloud applications, is lagging behind the United States and Asia. This threatens the economy and security. Also, because the supply of digital professionals is no longer growing in the Netherlands. The cabinet wants to address this issue with, among other things, the Action Plan for Digital and Green Jobs and the upcoming Productivity Agenda.

Maintaining and strengthening digital infrastructure

The Dutch digital infrastructure (fixed and mobile networks, undersea cables, internet nodes) provides fast access almost everywhere and at all times, is safe and reliable. The cabinet wants to maintain this and further expand it. Therefore, the cabinet is looking with investors and market players at, for example, additional private investments in data and cloud infrastructure.

99% of Dutch connections already have access to fast broadband internet (≥1 Gigabit per second) via cable or fiber optic. The goal is to have this realized everywhere by 2030. Various wireless and affordable solutions are now becoming available through market players.