Dutch GDP nearly the highest in the European Union

Trails first place Luxembourg

BRUSSELS - The forecasts for the economy of the Netherlands may not be the most encouraging for the coming year, but it had almost the best standard of living in the entire European Union last year, according to Eurostat, the EU's statistics agency.

The gross domestic product (GDP) per capita in the Netherlands was more than one third higher than the EU average. Only Luxembourg’s GDP per person ranked far higher, double of the Dutch numbers. Denmark came in first with the highest price levels. The lowest standard of living, at half the average GDP for the EU as a whole, was assigned to Bulgaria. Neighbouring Romania came in second lowest (with a fraction difference).

The economic crisis has impacted Greece, Italy and Spain negatively. The GDP per person in Greece was ten percent below the EU average, in 2009 it was still at six percent below average. Ireland scored third highest with its GDP in the 27-member European Union, closely followed by Denmark, Austria and Sweden.