Geographical spread of ICT companies and content providers

In the Netherlands 6% of all enterprises are classified as ICT companies and content providers. The geographical distribution shows that relatively many of these companies are located close to the four major cities in the up and coming suburbs. The factors space, price, accessibility and customer base surely play a role in this choice of location.

Specialisation per municipality

Maarssen is the municipality with the highest share of ICT companies and content providers with 1 in 8 companies involved in either. In Hilversum and Delft 1 in 9 enterprises is in ICT or content providing.

The municipalities with relatively many ICT companies and content providers include fast growing towns like Almere, Houten, Zoetermeer and Nieuwegein. For starting companies – which included many ICT/content providers in 2000 – and for companies opening new branches, it is relatively easier and cheaper here than in the ‘older’ and ‘busier’ municipalities. The major cities, including Amsterdam, Rotterdam, The Hague and Utrecht, remarkably do not have the largest share in ICT/ content providers.

Map of the Netherlands: degree of specialisation of ICT companies and content providers per municipality, 2000

Concentration of ICT companies and content providers

If the number of ICT companies and content providers per municipality is expressed as a percentage of the total number of ICT companies and content providers in the Netherlands we get a different picture, where the four largest cities do play a major role. Over 10% of all ICT companies and content providers is located in Amsterdam. These companies are clearly overrepresented in the capital. The ICT companies and content providers are also concentrated in Rotterdam and the Hague.

Map of the Netherlands: concentration of ICT companies and content providers per municipalities

Masja van Bommel