Economy, jobs and prices in Friesland (NL), Netherlands: official figures
GDP per person was 39,100 purchasing power standards (PPS) in 2024, 98% of the EU average; 11th highest of 12 provinces in the Netherlands. PPS adjust for price differences between countries.
How big is the economy of Friesland (NL)?
The regional economy produced €30.1 billion of output (GDP at market prices) in 2024, 2.7% of the Netherlands's GDP.
Source: Eurostat · saved copyWhat is the unemployment rate in Friesland (NL)?
The unemployment rate (age 15 to 74) was 4.0% in 2025, against 3.9% for the Netherlands and 6.0% across the EU; 3rd highest of 12 provinces in the Netherlands.
Source: Eurostat · saved copyWhat is youth unemployment in Friesland (NL)?
Youth unemployment (age 15 to 24) was 7.6% in 2025, against 8.8% for the Netherlands; 8th highest of 11 provinces in the Netherlands.
Source: Eurostat · saved copyWhat is the average household income in Friesland?
Households in Friesland had on average €55,100 a year to spend after tax and benefits in 2024 (2nd lowest among the 12 provinces; national average €61,600), up 30% from €42,400 in 2019.
Source: Centraal Bureau voor de Statistiek (CBS) · saved copyWhat is the average income per person in Friesland?
Adjusted for household size, average standardised income in Friesland was €38,300 in 2024, against €42,700 nationally (2nd lowest among the 12 provinces).
Source: Centraal Bureau voor de Statistiek (CBS) · saved copyWhat is the median household wealth in Friesland?
Median household wealth in Friesland, including the home minus the mortgage, was €144,600 in 2024; 5th lowest among the 12 provinces.
Source: Centraal Bureau voor de Statistiek (CBS) · saved copyHow many jobs are there in Friesland?
Friesland had 68.9 employee jobs for every 100 residents aged 15 to 64 in 2024, 2nd lowest among the 12 provinces (Netherlands: 78.4).
Source: Centraal Bureau voor de Statistiek (CBS) · saved copyHow many businesses are there in Friesland?
There were 132.4 business establishments per 1,000 residents in Friesland in 2026, below the national figure of 144.1, up from 109.3 in 2020; that is 6th lowest among the 12 provinces.
Source: Centraal Bureau voor de Statistiek (CBS) · saved copyWhat are the main industries in Friesland?
Commercial services such as trade, transport, hospitality and business services accounted for 43.0% of employee jobs in Friesland in 2024, below the national figure of 51.0%.
Source: Centraal Bureau voor de Statistiek (CBS) · saved copyHow many people work in industry in Friesland?
Manufacturing, construction and energy made up 17.0% of jobs in the province of Friesland in 2024, above the national figure of 14.0%.
Source: Centraal Bureau voor de Statistiek (CBS) · saved copyHow much do renters earn in Friesland?
Households renting their home in Friesland had an average disposable income of €34,900 in 2024, compared with €67,100 for owner-occupiers.
Source: Centraal Bureau voor de Statistiek (CBS) · saved copyHow many people in Friesland (NL) are long-term unemployed?
Long-term unemployment (people out of work for a year or more) stood at 0.7% of the labour force in 2025 (the Netherlands: 0.5%; EU: 1.9%); 2nd highest of 9 provinces in Netherlands. In 2015 it was 3.5%.
Source: Eurostat · saved copyWhat is the unemployment rate for women in Friesland (NL)?
Unemployment among women was 3.8% in 2025 (the Netherlands: 4.0%; EU: 6.2%); 5th lowest of 12 provinces in Netherlands. In 2015 it was 7.6%.
Source: Eurostat · saved copyHow many women in Friesland (NL) are in work?
79.4% of women aged 20 to 64 were in work in 2025 (the Netherlands: 79.6%; EU: 71.3%); 5th lowest of 12 provinces in Netherlands. In 2015 it was 71.2%.
Source: Eurostat · saved copyIs the economy of Friesland (NL) growing?
In real terms the economy of Friesland (NL) grew by -0.8% in 2024 (gross value added), compared with 1.1% nationally; 2nd lowest of 12 provinces in Netherlands. In 2014 it was 1.2%.
Source: Eurostat · saved copyHow many cars are there in Friesland (NL)?
There were 545 passenger cars per 1,000 people in 2024, compared with 513 nationally; 6th lowest of 12 provinces in Netherlands. In 2014 it was 477.
Source: Eurostat · saved copyWhat is the average salary in Friesland (NL)?
Employers paid an average of €38,556 per employee in 2023, counting wages, salaries and employer social contributions, against €42,636 across the Netherlands; 3rd lowest of 12 provinces in Netherlands.
Source: Eurostat · saved copyHow many tourists visit Friesland (NL)?
Hotels, campsites and other tourist accommodation recorded 7.0 million nights in 2025, 28% of them by visitors from abroad.
Source: Eurostat · saved copyWhat is the main industry in Friesland (NL)?
The largest part of the economy of Friesland (NL) in 2023 was public administration, education, health and other services, at 27.3% of gross value added, followed by finance, property and business services (24.3%).
Source: Eurostat · saved copyHow industrial is Friesland (NL)?
Industry (manufacturing, mining and energy) made up 18.7% of output in 2023, against 15.1% for the Netherlands.
Source: Eurostat · saved copyHow fast is the economy of Friesland (NL) growing?
Gross value added rose from €17.1 billion in 2015 to €25.7 billion in 2023 in current prices, an increase of 50% before inflation.
Source: Eurostat · saved copyAre jobs growing in Friesland (NL)?
The number of people working in Friesland (NL) rose by 16.7% between 2015 and 2024, to 341,700.
Source: Eurostat · saved copyHow Friesland (NL) compares with other provinces
Average disposable income per household (€) (2024)
Friesland (NL) ranks 11 of 12, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Average disposable income per household (€) |
|---|---|---|
| 6 | Flevoland | €60,500 |
| 7 | Overijssel | €60,300 |
| 8 | Zeeland | €59,000 |
| 9 | Drenthe | €57,800 |
| 10 | Limburg (NL) | €55,900 |
| 11 | Friesland (NL) | €55,100 |
| 12 | Groningen | €51,700 |
Average standardised income (€, adjusted for household size) (2024)
Friesland (NL) ranks 11 of 12, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Average standardised income (€, adjusted for household size) |
|---|---|---|
| 6 | Zeeland | €41,300 |
| 7 | Overijssel | €40,900 |
| 8 | Flevoland | €40,700 |
| 9 | Drenthe | €39,900 |
| 10 | Limburg (NL) | €39,500 |
| 11 | Friesland (NL) | €38,300 |
| 12 | Groningen | €37,100 |
Median household wealth (€) (2024)
Friesland (NL) ranks 8 of 12, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Median household wealth (€) |
|---|---|---|
| 5 | Overijssel | €162,300 |
| 6 | Drenthe | €159,500 |
| 7 | Flevoland | €158,500 |
| 8 | Friesland (NL) | €144,600 |
| 9 | Limburg (NL) | €131,200 |
| 10 | North Holland | €111,800 |
| 11 | South Holland | €108,500 |
Employee jobs per 100 residents aged 15 to 64 (2024)
Friesland (NL) ranks 11 of 12, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Employee jobs per 100 residents aged 15 to 64 |
|---|---|---|
| 6 | Limburg (NL) | 75.1 |
| 7 | South Holland | 74.2 |
| 8 | Drenthe | 71.9 |
| 9 | Groningen | 71.5 |
| 10 | Zeeland | 71.3 |
| 11 | Friesland (NL) | 68.9 |
| 12 | Flevoland | 58.3 |
Business establishments per 1,000 residents (2026)
Friesland (NL) ranks 7 of 12, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Business establishments per 1,000 residents |
|---|---|---|
| 4 | North Brabant | 140.3 |
| 5 | Flevoland | 139.1 |
| 6 | Gelderland | 137.4 |
| 7 | Friesland (NL) | 132.4 |
| 8 | Zeeland | 130.8 |
| 9 | Overijssel | 124.0 |
| 10 | Drenthe | 120.0 |
Share of employee jobs in industry and energy (%) (2024)
Friesland (NL) ranks 4 of 12, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Share of employee jobs in industry and energy (%) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Zeeland | 20.0% |
| 2 | Overijssel | 19.0% |
| 3 | North Brabant | 19.0% |
| 4 | Friesland (NL) | 17.0% |
| 5 | Gelderland | 16.0% |
| 6 | Limburg (NL) | 16.0% |
| 7 | Drenthe | 15.0% |
Long-term unemployment (% of labour force) (2025)
Friesland (NL) ranks 2 of 9, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Long-term unemployment (% of labour force) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | South Holland | 0.7% |
| 2 | Friesland (NL) | 0.7% |
| 3 | Limburg (NL) | 0.6% |
| 4 | Groningen | 0.6% |
| 5 | North Holland | 0.5% |
| 6 | North Brabant | 0.5% |
| 7 | Overijssel | 0.5% |
Unemployment rate, women (2025)
Friesland (NL) ranks 8 of 12, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Unemployment rate, women |
|---|---|---|
| 5 | Utrecht | 4.0% |
| 6 | Flevoland | 3.9% |
| 7 | North Brabant | 3.8% |
| 8 | Friesland (NL) | 3.8% |
| 9 | Overijssel | 3.6% |
| 10 | Limburg (NL) | 3.5% |
| 11 | Gelderland | 3.4% |
Employment rate, women aged 20-64 (2025)
Friesland (NL) ranks 8 of 12, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Employment rate, women aged 20-64 |
|---|---|---|
| 5 | Gelderland | 80.6% |
| 6 | Flevoland | 79.9% |
| 7 | North Brabant | 79.5% |
| 8 | Friesland (NL) | 79.4% |
| 9 | Drenthe | 78.2% |
| 10 | South Holland | 78.1% |
| 11 | Groningen | 77.4% |
Real growth in gross value added (2024)
Friesland (NL) ranks 11 of 12, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Real growth in gross value added |
|---|---|---|
| 6 | Zeeland | 1.3% |
| 7 | North Holland | 1.1% |
| 8 | Drenthe | 1.1% |
| 9 | North Brabant | 0.7% |
| 10 | Limburg (NL) | -0.8% |
| 11 | Friesland (NL) | -0.8% |
| 12 | Groningen | -2.1% |
Passenger cars per 1,000 people (2024)
Friesland (NL) ranks 7 of 12, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Passenger cars per 1,000 people |
|---|---|---|
| 4 | Utrecht | 560 |
| 5 | Zeeland | 554 |
| 6 | Limburg (NL) | 545 |
| 7 | Friesland (NL) | 545 |
| 8 | Overijssel | 529 |
| 9 | Gelderland | 523 |
| 10 | Groningen | 507 |
Compensation per employee (euros) (2023)
Friesland (NL) ranks 10 of 12, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Compensation per employee (euros) |
|---|---|---|
| 6 | Gelderland | €39,475 |
| 7 | Limburg (NL) | €39,325 |
| 8 | Overijssel | €39,088 |
| 9 | Zeeland | €38,937 |
| 10 | Friesland (NL) | €38,556 |
| 11 | Drenthe | €38,482 |
| 12 | Flevoland | €38,204 |
Nights spent in tourist accommodation (2025)
Friesland (NL) ranks 9 of 12, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Nights spent in tourist accommodation |
|---|---|---|
| 6 | Zeeland | 12.5 million |
| 7 | Overijssel | 8.4 million |
| 8 | Drenthe | 7.7 million |
| 9 | Friesland (NL) | 7.0 million |
| 10 | Utrecht | 4.7 million |
| 11 | Flevoland | 3.1 million |
| 12 | Groningen | 2.3 million |
Share of output from industry (manufacturing, mining and energy) (2023)
Friesland (NL) ranks 4 of 12, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Share of output from industry (manufacturing, mining and energy) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Zeeland | 28.3% |
| 2 | Groningen | 25.2% |
| 3 | North Brabant | 23.8% |
| 4 | Friesland (NL) | 18.7% |
| 5 | Flevoland | 18.6% |
| 6 | Limburg (NL) | 18.4% |
| 7 | Overijssel | 17.5% |
Share of output from finance, property and business services (2023)
Friesland (NL) ranks 7 of 12, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Share of output from finance, property and business services |
|---|---|---|
| 4 | Flevoland | 26.3% |
| 5 | Gelderland | 25.4% |
| 6 | North Brabant | 25.1% |
| 7 | Friesland (NL) | 24.3% |
| 8 | Limburg (NL) | 23.9% |
| 9 | Overijssel | 23.8% |
| 10 | Drenthe | 23.6% |
Share of output from public administration, education, health and other services (2023)
Friesland (NL) ranks 3 of 12, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Share of output from public administration, education, health and other services |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Groningen | 30.2% |
| 2 | Drenthe | 30.2% |
| 3 | Friesland (NL) | 27.3% |
| 4 | Gelderland | 26.1% |
| 5 | South Holland | 26.1% |
| 6 | Utrecht | 26.0% |
| 7 | Limburg (NL) | 25.9% |
More on Friesland (NL): overview · health · education and schools · poverty and living standards · government budget · government and politics · the Netherlands
Sources
- Eurostat: Eurostat dataset nama_10r_2gdp: GDP per person (purchasing power standards), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 c21f724d14a6…)
- Eurostat: Eurostat dataset nama_10r_2gdp: GDP per person (euros), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 537f99167955…)
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