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Amsterdam Economy Snapshot: Service Sector and ICT Sectors Shape Outlook
Projections and employment data from city records highlight ongoing patterns in growth and labor supply.
How we reported this
Amsterdam's economy is projected to grow by 1.6% in 2025, driven by its business services and rapidly developing ICT sectors. That figure comes from the latest dossier compiled by the city's research office.
The projection arrives as residents and firms continue to navigate a tight labor market. Unemployment sits at 4%, a level that leaves many entrepreneurs reporting shortages of available workers. The service sector accounted for 23.2% of the Netherlands' total GDP in 2022, underscoring its weight in the regional picture.
Employment Patterns and Circular Goals
Circular jobs make up 11% of employment across the Amsterdam Metropolitan Area. That share exceeds the national average. City targets call for a fully circular economy by 2050, and the current employment mix already reflects movement toward that aim. Local records show these roles span repair, reuse and resource-efficient activities that support both established firms and newer entrants.
Business services and ICT continue to anchor expansion plans. Firms in these fields draw on the region's existing infrastructure and skilled workforce. The combination keeps demand for staff elevated even as overall unemployment remains low.
Tourism Recovery and Resident Pressures
Tourist arrivals surged 138% in 2022 to reach 6.9 million visitors. The rebound lifted revenue in hospitality and related services. At the same time, city documents note rising concern over overtourism among residents, prompting ongoing reviews of visitor management measures.
These trends sit alongside the broader service-sector contribution to national output. The 23.2% GDP share recorded in 2022 illustrates how Amsterdam's mix of tourism, professional services and technology feeds into wider economic performance.
City analysts will continue to track labor availability and sector-specific demand through the remainder of the year. Businesses seeking to expand in ICT or circular activities can consult the open data sets maintained at onderzoek.amsterdam.nl/dossier/economie for updated indicators on workforce and output.