
The Dutch construction industry registered a CAGR of 1.58% over the review period (2006-2010) primarily due to strong levels of growth during 2006-2008. However, the industry recorded decelerated growth rates during 2009, as a result of the global financial crisis. The global construction industry registered a marginal growth of 1.4% in 2010, while the Dutch industry declined 8.7%. As a counter cyclical measure, the Dutch government launched a stimulus package of EUR5.7 billion to be distributed over six years from 2009 to improve the country's infrastructure and increase domestic consumption. Demographic changes and easy credit availability made residential construction the strongest performing market in 2008. However, the market recorded the strongest decline in both 2009 and 2010 because of tightening credit conditions and low consumer confidence. As the Netherlands is largely dependent on international trade with European Union (EU) nations, the end of the European debt crisis is expected to positively impact the Dutch economy, which, in turn, will support and sustain growth in the construction industry, which is anticipated to record a CAGR of 3.48% over the forecast period.