Dutch technology sector in top 10 world ranking despite criticism
The Netherlands ranked 10th in a global tech competitiveness index, beating all G7 nations.
Published on March 25, 2025
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The Netherlands ranked 10th in a global tech competitiveness index, beating all G7 nations. It was recognized for its strong digital economy, advanced biotech and semiconductor industries, and excellent engineering and digital skills.
The STEM Skills Index was developed by the London-based Centre for Economics and Business Research (CEBR) in collaboration with consultancy SThree. It ranked 35 countries. The report assesses countries based on their capacity to drive scientific and technological innovation, provide high-quality education, and generate employment in STEM-related fields.
Singapore on top
Singapore topped the global rankings, praised for its world-class digital infrastructure, advanced STEM education, and innovation-driven economy. Several European countries also ranked highly, with Ireland placing second globally and first in Europe. Finland (4th), Norway (6th), Denmark (7th), Estonia (8th), and Sweden (9th) joined the Netherlands in the top 10.
The UK and US ranked 13th and 15th, respectively, highlighting shifting global tech competitiveness.
Netherlands: Strength in life sciences
The report highlighted the Netherlands' strength in life sciences, ranking 7th globally, thanks to a strong biotech startup ecosystem and research institutions. However, engineering was its weakest STEM sector, placing 21st.
Recent criticism
The findings suggest a positive outlook for the Dutch tech sector, despite recent criticism. Namely: recent insights from the State of Dutch Tech report by Techleap, a non-profit supporting Dutch startups and scaleups raised concerns about the Dutch tech landscape. Specifically, the report raises concerns about the country's funding landscape, revealing that in 2024, only 104 startups secured over €100,000—a 23% drop from the previous year.
Dutch startups’ toughest hurdle: winning venture capital
Despite raising $3.5 billion in 2024, the Netherlands lags behind countries like the U.S. in per capita venture capital investment.