THE GLOBAL CONNECTEDNESS INDEX 2012

DHL Global Connectedness Index (GCI) 2012 is a comprehensive analysis of the state of globalization around the world. The study ranks 140 countries according to their depth and breadth of global connectedness along international flows of trade, capital, information and people. Depth refers to how much of a given activity is international (rather than domestic). Breadth complements depth by looking at how broadly the international component of a given type of activity is distributed across countries. Furthermore the study shows the level of global integration of three important industries:mobile phones, passenger cars, and pharmaceuticals. And it provides brief country case studies illustrating policies to promote connectedness.

Key Results

The Netherlands is the top ranked country on the DHL Global Connectedness Index, a position it has held since 2005, the first year for which the index has been calculated. It earns its position based on a balanced combination of high scores on both depth and breadth. The Netherlands ranks in the top 5 countries on all of the pillars of the index except for people, on which it holds the 13th position, behind 11 other European countries. One of the notable aspects of the Netherlands’ connectedness profile is its larger outward than inward FDI flows. As a major foreign investor, the Netherlands ranks 11th on outward FDI flows, but ranks only 89th on inward FDI flows.

Comparison in the region – FoCUS EUROPE (40 countries)

Europe is the world’s most connected region. 40 European countries are covered in the GCI 2012. A ranking of the European countries shows that the Netherlands holds the leading position of 1st out of 40 European (EU and non-EU) countries.

  • The top 10 countries in the European ranking are in descending order (from 1st-10th): Netherlands, Luxembourg, Ireland, Switzerland, United Kingdom, Belgium, Sweden, Denmark, Germany, Norway.
  • The lowest rankings (from 31st -40th) are occupied byEastern European countries: Latvia, Romania, Russian Federation, Armenia, FYR Macedonia, Belarus, Serbia, Moldova, Albania, Bosnia Herzegovina.

Export and Imports

Roughly 87% of the Netherlands’ exports in 2011 were to high income countries – only 13% to faraway and fast-growing emerging and developing countries.

Netherland’s top export destinations are: Germany (22%), Belgium (11%), France (9%), U.K. (8%), Italy (5%), U.S.A. (5%), Spain (3%), Poland (2%), Sweden (2%), Russia (2%).

The Netherland’s imports reflect stronger connections to emerging markets: 28% came from low and middle income countries in 2011.

The Netherland’s major exported goods are machinery and equipment, chemicals, The Four Pillars

Trade

In 2011, Netherlands exported goods worth 79% of its GDP and exported services worth 15% of its GDP. 80% of Netherland's merchandise exports went to destinations within Europe, even though Europe makes up only 30% of the world economy.

Capital

In 2011, only 9% of Gross Fixed Capital Formation in the Netherlands was accounted for by Inward Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), and 68% of Netherlands' inward FDI stocks came from within Europe.

Information

76% of the international calling minutes from the Netherlands were to other countries within Europe and 94% of the Netherlands’ exports of printed publications were also intra-regional.

People

95% of people born in the Netherlands still reside there, and among the 5% who have migrated outside the country, 46% remain in Europe.

Regarding incoming tourism and education, 84% of international tourists and 81% of international students come from within Europe.