English speaking society

The Netherlands boasts of one of the most highly educated, flexible and motivated workforces in Europe. Dutch professionals are also among the most multilingual in the world, enabling them to successfully operate in companies in any industry, serving customers throughout the continent.

If you speak English, the Netherlands is an easy place for you to work and stay in. The literacy rate in the country is 99% and 87% of the population speaks English. In fact, more than 90% of the total population is able to participate in a conversation in a language other than their mother tongue.

Percentage of total population being able to participate in a conversation in a language other than their mother tongue

Source: Eurobarometer, Europeans and Languages, 2005

According to a survey conducted by the Economist Intelligence Unit and head-hunters Heidrick & Struggles, the Netherlands stood third on the global talent index, which compares 30 developed and developing nations.

The Netherlands enjoys a favourable position even in terms of the availability of skilled workforce. According to the IMD World Competitiveness Yearbook 2007, the Netherlands has a higher score (5.8) than countries like Italy, Belgium, UK and Spain for readily-available skilled labour. The country ranks third in the world, behind USA and Switzerland, when it comes to availability of senior managers.