Between 2021 and 2023, over 5 percent of medium and large companies relocated part of their activities abroad. This is comparable to the previous period. Cost savings are an important driver. Most activities remain within the EU after relocation. This is reported by Statistics Netherlands (CBS) based on new research.

For the research, companies with at least 50 employees in industry and energy, and in commercial services were surveyed. Companies that completely left the Netherlands were not included in this research, only companies that relocated part of their activities abroad.

Besides the approximately 600 companies that relocated activities abroad (over 5 percent), about 200 companies (almost 2 percent) considered doing so. Important reasons for (considered) relocations are savings on labor costs, other savings or strategic decisions by the parent company. These were also the most mentioned motives in previous years. A shortage of suitable personnel remains an important motive. Sanctions against Russia, COVID-19 and environmental policy were mentioned less often as motives by companies.