Sustained economic contraction
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Taking into account the working-day pattern and the effects of seasonal variation, the Dutch economy shrank by 0.1 percent in the first quarter of 2013 compared to the fourth quarter of 2012.This was the third consecutive quarter showing negative quarter-on-quarter growth, but the contraction is becoming less substantial.
Gross domestic product in billion euro at 2005 prices
The Dutch economy contracted by 1.7 percent in the first quarter compared to the same period one year previously. The first quarter of 2013 had two working-days less than the first quarter of 2012.
Fixed capital formation fell by 11.6 percent in the first quarter relative to twelve months previously. Household spending on goods and services decreased by 2.1 percent. Government consumption declined by 0.9 percent. Imports of goods and services grew marginally by 0.2 percent relative to the first quarter of 2012. The volume of exports was 2.3 percent up from one year previously.
Output realised by goods manufacturers was 0.8 percent down from one year previously. The construction sector was hit the hardest, output plummeted by 11.6 percent. Manufacturing output was 4.5 percent below the level of the first quarter of 2012. Partly due to the relatively cold weather, output realised by the sector mineral extraction was 15.5 percent higher. Production generated by the sector commercial services fell by 2.5 percent, whereas production in the sector non-commercial services remained at the same level as one year previously.
Disposable for final expenditure and final expenditure (volume)
More figures can be found in dossier Business cycle.
For more information on economic indicators, the reader is referred to the Economic Monitor.