Amsterdam ranked second-best investment destination in Europe
Amsterdam has placed first in the EU, and second in Europe, in an fDi Intelligence ranking of the most promising investment destinations.
A top investment destination
Amsterdam has placed second in fDi Intelligence’s flagship European Cities and Regions of the Future 2022/23 ranking. The study assesses the most promising investment destinations across Europe. London came first overall, followed by Amsterdam, which ranked top in the EU.
The research showed that while London has investment appeal, Amsterdam, as well as Dublin, Frankfurt and Paris, gained business in the wake of Brexit.
Amsterdam in particular was recognised for its FDI (foreign direct investment) strategy and ability to attract financial companies to set up an EU base after Brexit. In recent years, it also drew in the European Medicines Agency and Japanese tech companies Sony and Panasonic, previously based in London.
fDi Intelligence’s research team assessed 356 cities and ranked them based on: economic potential, business friendliness, connectivity, human capital and lifestyle, and cost effectiveness.
fDi Intelligence editor Jacopo Dettoni said: “In the midst of the biggest crisis of our times, authorities across Europe went back to the drawing room to redesign and retool their investment promotion strategies. Most of the European cities and regions we reviewed have now pivoted their development vision to the knowledge economy and sustainable development.”
On a regional level, The Netherlands’ North Holland region, home to the Dutch capital, was recognised as the leading mid-sized European region, beating a field of 55. North Holland attracted 676 inward foreign direct investment projects between October 2016 and September 2021.
More international companies choose Amsterdam
The fDi Intelligence ranking comes as new figures showed Amsterdam welcomed 133 new international companies in 2021, which created 4,000 jobs - a figure close to pre-pandemic levels. The Amsterdam Area is a popular choice for companies, particularly in the tech, fintech, life sciences and logistics sectors, thanks to its highly educated, English-speaking talent, innovative business environment and world-leading connectivity.