The Netherlands started off the century with a number of difficulties, including a stagnated economy. Yet the country is currently one of the most robust in the euro zone. The country is likely to see additional growth over the next several years.
As reported by the Financial Times, Bernard Wientjes, who is chairman of the Dutch business confederation known as VNO-NCW, says, "The big majority [of companies] is very positive for this year… There is this feeling that the economy is much stronger than perhaps it should be when you look at the international situation."
Perhaps the strongest factor behind this is the simple fact that the Netherlands did not have any large right downs when the subprime mortgage disaster hit many of the other lenders in European banks.
The Netherlands has seen growth in the property market. In fact it was one of only a handful of countries that saw growth in the final quarter of 2007, along with countries such as Austria and Spain.
Home ownership in the Netherlands is not the largest priority, though there is much debate about the ability of the Dutch to own properties here. In fact, some believe the government should do more to encourage home ownership more readily. Many currently reside in rented properties.
