The Economic Outlook Rotterdam 2025: Time to Shift Gears (EVR2025) report has just been released. We’re proud to share that two of our colleagues, Merten Nefs, Joris van der Linde, and Dominique van Keeken, played a key role in this publication. Their work, in collaboration with the Erasmus Centre for Urban, Port & Transport Economics (Erasmus UPT), NEO Observatory, and Erasmus School of Economics, contributed to shaping this important research.
What is the report about?
EVR2025 provides a detailed analysis of the current state and future trends of the Rotterdam regional economy. It explores key developments in employment, industrial transformation, and the region’s resilience to global economic shifts. A central theme this year is the strengthening of the economic relationship between Rotterdam and Delft, focusing on innovation ecosystems, regional collaboration, and strategic autonomy.
Key findings include:
- The Rotterdam economy is expected to grow modestly by 1.3% in 2025 and 1.0% in 2026, in line with national trends.
- Workforce shortages remain a long-term challenge, especially due to aging and mismatches in education and job market needs.
- The Rotterdam-Delft corridor shows great potential for economic integration, particularly by connecting innovative startups from Delft with scaling opportunities in Rotterdam.
- Despite modest growth, the region lacks strong agglomeration advantages compared to other major European hubs – a strategic concern for policymakers.
Curious to know more? Download the report below!
