More than 2 million enterprises for the first time

forklift at industrial site
© CBS
In 2021, the total enterprise population in the Netherlands grew by 163 thousand or 8.5 percent, thereby exceeding 2 million for the first time as of 1 January 2022. The number of webshops was up by more than half relative to 2020. The number of event caterers also increased, by one quarter; event caterers now form the largest group of companies within the accommodation and food services sector. Statistics Netherlands (CBS) reports this based on newly released figures.

The 8.5 percent year-on-year birth rate is the highest since measurements of this kind started in 2007 and is over twice as high as in 2020. Of the 163 thousand enterprise creations, over 90 percent consisted of sole proprietorships. In percentage terms as well, this group showed by far the highest growth (10 percent). The group of enterprises with 250 or more employed persons grew by 3.5 percent.

Fewer cessations in 2021

Last year’s sharp growth is largely due to fewer enterprise deaths. Although the number of cessations still rose by more than 30 thousand in 2020, it fell by nearly 50 thousand in 2021. The share of enterprise deaths in the total enterprise population amounted to 4.8 percent last year, an unprecedentedly low share. The number of enterprise births was also unprecedentedly high in 2021 (232 thousand).

Number of webshops up by over one half year-on-year

Since January 2020, the number of webshops has grown by more than 63 percent to nearly 80 thousand. There are 18.5 thousand webshops selling clothes, i.e. over 50 percent more than before the COVID-19 pandemic. The highest growth was recorded among general retailers; their number has more than doubled. Webshops selling home and garden products (+89 percent) and online food shops (+83 percent) have also increased rapidly in number over the past two years. As of 2022, over 80 percent of the webshops are one-man businesses.

Event catering up by more than a quarter

Since January 2020, the number of event catering businesses has risen by more than one quarter to 16.7 thousand. In addition to catering for parties and events, this includes preparing meals exclusively for food delivery. Event caterers now constitute the largest group within the accommodation and food services sector. In 2020, this position was still held by snack bars, lunchroom cafeterias and food stalls. Cafés, canteens and contract caterers as well as other accommodation services are the only branches with decline in the accommodation and food services sector. The number of restaurants was still up by 7 percent in the period 2020-2022.

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