The Rotterdam region is struggling with a shortage of innovative growth companies and is therefore lagging behind cities such as Amsterdam and Eindhoven. This is evident from the recently published Economic Outlook Rotterdam 2025.
The Netherlands remains stuck in uncertainty, Germany is leading the way
According to Frank van Oort, Professor of Urban and Regional Economics at Erasmus School of Economics, Rotterdam lacks the long-term vision and decisiveness that Germany, for example, does show. ‘Our eastern neighbours are investing billions in hydrogen technology and are thus creating an attractive business climate. In the Netherlands, many plans remain stuck in uncertainty,’ says Van Oort. Major companies such as Shell and BP have significantly scaled back their ambitions in the region.
The outlook shows that Rotterdam, unlike Amsterdam (ICT and financial services) and Eindhoven (high-tech industry), does not have fast-growing, innovative sectors that can compensate for the decline in the port industry. ‘We are missing new, driving companies,’ says researcher Walter Manshanden of NEO Observatory.
Delft and Rotterdam: a logical partnership for economic innovation
However, researcher Merten Nefs of the Erasmus Centre for Urban, Port and Transport Economics (Erasmus UPT) sees opportunities in the collaboration between Rotterdam and Delft. ‘Delft provides the talent and the start-ups, Rotterdam offers space and infrastructure to grow. Together they can form a strong knowledge ecosystem.’
Professor Van Oort advocates an evolutionary approach: organic growth with a focus on existing strengths, such as CO₂ capture, AI, biofuels and wind energy. ‘We need to strengthen what is already good, instead of blindly betting on one technology.’
The message of the Economic Outlook is clear: if Rotterdam wants to secure future economic success, it needs to quickly switch gears with vision, collaboration and structural investments.
- More information
Download the article published by the Dutch newspaper Algemeen Dagblad on Thursday, 3 July (in Dutch) above.
Click here for the previous article with more information about the Economic Outlook 2025.
For more information, please contact Ronald de Groot, Media & Public Relations Officer at Erasmus School of Economics: rdegroot@ese.eur.nl +316 6 53 641 846.
