KVK researches the number of Dutch businesses every year. At the end of 2023, there were 2.3 million, approximately 100,000 more than on 1 January. Growth is mainly driven by self-employed professionals. In 2023, around 17% of businesses were run by someone without employees, compared with 10% around 2013. Growth has therefore been substantial. In 2023, 7 in 10 entrepreneurs were self-employed without staff.
Strong growth in the Randstad
Since 2021, new businesses have grown particularly strongly in the Randstad. Limburg, Zeeland and the northern provinces lag behind. North Holland has the most entrepreneurs per 1,000 inhabitants, at 142, followed by Utrecht at 125 and South Holland at 117. Limburg, Drenthe and Groningen are at the bottom, with 92, 95 and 96 respectively. South Holland had the fastest growth in 2022, slightly above 6%, followed by Flevoland at 5.3%. Growth was weakest in Drenthe, Zeeland and Groningen, where it stayed below 3%.
Where new entrepreneurs come from
KVK does not record entrepreneurs' nationalities, but does know whether new registrants were born outside the Netherlands. These figures show that the largest group of foreign-born entrepreneurs was born in Poland, followed by Turkey and Suriname. The Polish share was around 13% in 2013 and rose to 18% in 2022. Growth in 2022 was mainly driven by self-employed people from Poland and Bulgaria. The substantial shortage of construction workers in the Netherlands seems a logical explanation. Many Eastern European construction workers arriving here are self-employed.
Entrepreneurs from Ukraine
KVK's figures clearly reflect the war in Ukraine. In 2022, the number of new entrepreneurs from Ukraine rose by 218% compared with 2021. The figures also show that many Russians opposed events and left: 44% more Russian businesses started in the Netherlands in 2022 than a year earlier. Entrepreneurs from outside the EU face stricter conditions for becoming self-employed in the Netherlands. This also applies to Ukrainians and Russians seeking employment here.
One in three entrepreneurs is a woman
Men still considerably outnumber women among business owners. The female share has remained stable at around 35% for years. Women are particularly active in culture, sport and recreation, personal services and healthcare. Male self-employed professionals mainly work in construction, ICT and media.
What will 2023 look like?
2023 looks set to be difficult for many entrepreneurs. High inflation and rapidly rising interest rates threaten an economic recession. Businesses must also stand on their own feet again after the coronavirus crisis. Government support kept many companies afloat that were already struggling before the pandemic. KVK's end-of-2023 figures will show how many ultimately stopped trading or went bankrupt.
Starting your own business? Also explore a KVK registration address and a business mailing address.