Regional Profiles

Overijssel

The province of Overijssel is located in the eastern part of the Netherlands. It consists of two different areas: the highly industrialized eastern part called Twente and the western part with the capital of the province: Zwolle. A crossroad of transport links to Scandinavia and Germany, the Overijssel region has a large manufacturing base and excellent infrastructure enabling easy communication with major Eastern European markets.

The sub-region of Twente (which includes the cities of Enschede and Hengelo) ranks among the top three industrial centers in the Netherlands. The provincial capital of Overijssel, Zwolle, is a major center for trade and the service industry.

Overijssel has a population of more than one million. The labor force is active in manufacturing, agriculture, trade and the service industry. The average population is relatively young, and its work ethic is exemplary. There are many education and training possibilities of world class standard. The University of Twente, for one, is a renowned high-tech center, serving as a breeding ground for innovative developments.

The province of Overijssel has a land surface of 3,421 square kilometers with an average population density of 336 per square kilometer.

Key cities

  • Almelo
  • Hengelo
  • Deventer
  • Enschede
  • Zwolle

Key industries 

  • Manufacturing of metal products, machines, electro-technical products and food-related products, ICT

Access nationally / internationally  

  • The crossroads of the main road, rail and water routes that connect the Netherlands with Scandinavia and Germany's northern ports and cities in the Ruhr region
  • Airport Münster-Osnabrück (Germany, 70 km/44 miles from Enschede), offers direct air connections to Berlin, Frankfurt, Stuttgart, London and Paris

Foreign companies  

  • Almelo: Panduit (USA), Pemstar (USA)
  • Enschede: Polaroid (USA), Timberland (USA), Sento (USA)
  • Zwolle: Abbott (USA)

Demographic figures

  • Population: 1,116,402 (2007)
  • Labor force: 495,000 (2005)
  • Unemployment rate: 7.7% (2007)

Regional development agency