The Netherlands Secures Sixth Place in Global Life Sciences Benchmark — But Urgent Action Is Needed

The Netherlands has achieved a sixth-place ranking in the newly released international benchmark assessing the global business climate for life sciences companies. Conducted by KPMG in collaboration with AmCham Netherlands, the study compares 32 countries across six domains and 28 key performance indicators (KPIs), offering a comprehensive view ofthe sector’s strengths and vulnerabilities. 

The Dutch life sciences sector contributes €32 billion annually to the national GDP and employs over 53,000 people. Despite this, it remains the smallest of the ten designated top sectors. The benchmark highlights several areas where the Netherlands excels, including the presence of a highly educated workforce, robust digital infrastructure, and a strong healthcare system. The sector life sciences in the Netherlands currently scores extremely well in the areas of (clinical) research and innovation, early development stages and digital health solutions in areas such as oncology and gene therapy. The country also performs well in terms of R&D facilities and its overall competitive position. The Netherlands’ attractiveness as a location for innovative companies is relatively strong, but it is also under pressure. The country also performs well in terms of R&D facilities and its overall competitive position.

However, the report also reveals significant challenges that threaten the Netherlands’ ability to maintain or improve its standing. GDP growth remains slow, and both public and private investment in R&D lag behind neighboring countries such as Belgium and Switzerland. The corporate tax rate is among the least attractive in the benchmark, and strict environmental and decarbonization regulations are increasing operational costs for companies. Most notably, the Netherlands has fallen from fifth to eleventh place in the EU in terms of access to new medicines, with a median wait time of 514 days.

To regain a top-three position, the report outlines three strategic priorities. First, the Netherlands must attract more funding by integrating the European capital market, increasing public R&D investment, and strengthening collaboration between regional life sciences hubs such as Leiden, Utrecht, Brainport Eindhoven, and Pivot Park Oss. Second, regulatory frameworks and market access must be improved. This includes developing a national health data infrastructure and accelerating approval processes for new drugs and medtech innovations. Third, the country must promote cooperation through expanded public-private partnerships, entrepreneurship programs, and stable long-term funding for start-ups and scale-ups.

Sector leaders are calling for immediate action. Marc ter Haar of AmCham and David Ikkersheim of KPMG emphasize that health should be viewed as a strategic investment in economic growth, labor productivity, and innovation. Esther Peters, director of Leiden Bio Science Park, underscores the urgency, stating, “We are sitting on gold. All the ingredients are in place, but we need to buckle down.”

The benchmark places the United States, Switzerland, and Sweden at the top, with the Netherlands closely following. Yet international competition is intensifying, and other countries are implementing targeted strategies to attract life sciences companies. Without a coordinated national approach, the Netherlands risks falling behind.

The report concludes that the Netherlands has the talent, infrastructure, and ambition to lead in life sciences. But to remain competitive, it must act now — with bold investments, smarter regulation, and stronger collaboration across sectors.

_{Source: KPMG & AmCham Netherlands – “The Future of the Life Sciences Sector in the Netherlands: Results of the Global LSH Business Climate Benchmark 2025”}