In this article the transport, storage and communication enterprises in the netherlands (transport sector) are placed in the national production structure. By comparing input-output data for 1938 with those for 1981, it is possible to point out some longer-term developments. In the course of time, the share in total production contributed by the winning of natural gas and crude oil and the chemical industries has considerably increased. Also several services have become increasingly important and concurrently, the older branches of economic activity, such as agriculture and transport, have lost ground. The transport sector's share in NNP decreased from 9% in 1938 to 6.9% in 1981, mainly as a result of a declining relative importance of commercial shipping and public transport. In the processing of foodstuffs, housing and transport services government subsidies have come to play an increasingly important part. In 1981 government subsidies to public transport amounted to Dfl 2.600 million, in 1983 to Dfl 3.300 million. From 1981 national account figures it appears that the transport sector is still a prominent contributor to the generation of income and employment. Relative to the entire sector of enterprises, the transport sector accounted for 8% of the gross value added (at market prices), 8.1% of the exports of goods and services, 9.5% of gross capital formation and 8% of total employment. (author/publisher)
Abstract