Heart of Health

The Utrecht value

We are extremely proud that the European Union has named Utrecht the most competitive region in Europe. Regions across Europe are compared on the basis of more than 70 indicators, including macroeconomic stability, infrastructure, health, education, human capital, market size, technological learning, business services and innovation. In the triennial Regional Competitiveness Index, or RCI for short, Utrecht consistently achieves top positions and can easily compete with regions such as Paris and Stockholm.

•        GDP per capita: €71,600 (national average: €60,000)

•        Income over the last 10 years: +20% (national average: +15%)

•        Number of jobs has been growing steadily since 2014.

•        LSH specifically: from 19,700 (2013) to 24,300 (2024)

•        LSH: €3.4 billion added value (2022), ±5% of Utrecht's economy

•        Earth Valley: €8 billion added value (2022), ±11% of Utrecht's economy

We choose health as the driving force behind innovation and earning capacity.

The European Commission has designated the Utrecht Metropolitan Region as a leader in health innovation in Europe in 2024. This recognition makes our region an important player in strengthening European competitiveness and promoting economic growth through innovation. The Draghi report has resulted in strategies, action agendas and legislation for a broad selection of key technologies. One example is the EU Biotech Act, which offers opportunities to accelerate biotechnological innovation in Europe. To contribute to this, the Netherlands wants to invest 3 per cent of its GDP in research and development from 2030 onwards. In this way, the Netherlands will maintain a future-proof economy that stimulates the well-being and prosperity of its inhabitants.

The Utrecht metropolitan region, under the banner “Utrecht, Heart of Health”, is taking a leading role in these ambitions. Thanks to a strong economic base and high quality of life, the region is recognised as an innovation leader in the Regional Innovation Scoreboard 2025 and ranked as the most competitive region in Europe in the Regional Competitiveness Index. This means that the economy of the Utrecht metropolitan region is seamlessly aligned with the policy objectives of the Dutch government and Europe, as set out in the National Technology Strategy, the EU Biotech Act and the EU Compass for Competitiveness.

Ambitions for tomorrow

With leading companies, institutions and governments, we have the skills, resources, talent and facilities to achieve this goal.

We are located in the heart of Europe and are the number one most competitive region. We believe that a healthy lifestyle goes hand in hand with a sustainable, prosperous and energy-conscious urban environment.

This requires a great deal of effort. The Economic Board Utrecht (EBU) has drawn up an action agenda to this end. This action agenda has been translated into six major ambitions for Utrecht, Heart of Health, as the beating heart of a healthy, sustainable society:

1. We can treat any form of cancer

2. We can control any pandemic

3. We can achieve emission-free mobility

4. We can build healthy living environments

5. We can nurture vibrant, connected, inclusive communities

6. We can use digitalisation to promote health and well-being

With the aim of strengthening the international competitive position of the Utrecht region, Heart of Health, and thereby tackling the health challenges in the Netherlands, Europe and the world.

Utrecht as the beating heart of a healthy society, the region where we work together towards a healthier, more sustainable future. This takes place across the region, with Utrecht Science Park, the largest in the Netherlands, as the focal point for health innovation. And with the Earth Valley Innovation District, a second focal point is being added in Amersfoort, where the application of knowledge about healthy living environments takes centre stage. With these ambitions, the Utrecht metropolitan region contributes now and in the future to the well-being of its residents and to the earning capacity and competitiveness of the Netherlands and Europe.

Why do we do it?

As a society, we are facing important social transitions that bring with them major challenges. We are all living longer, preferably as happily and healthily as possible. Increasing urbanisation and ageing populations, rapid technological changes and climate issues are influencing people's ideas about how we can create a better, healthier world for everyone. It is our responsibility to respond to these changing expectations and strengthen our economy in a future-oriented and sustainable way.

How do we do it?

The EBU is the connecting player that puts promising prospects on the agenda in the collective interest of the region, mobilises networks and leads the strategic economic debate on the future of our region. We exploit our opportunities for (supra)regional cooperation and investment funds in Brussels and The Hague.

To this end, the MRU has drawn up an investment agenda. Our partners and board members are among the most prominent leaders from the business community, knowledge institutions and government bodies in the Utrecht region. The EBU works together with Utrecht Marketing to market the regional proposition.