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Knowledge, entrepreneurship and education drive the economy of the Leiden region. The number of jobs on the LBSP is steadily increasing and the number of start-ups is also growing considerably.
But be careful with slowing down the internationalization of university education. This is stated in the ‘Index071 year 2022-2023’, which the Blaauwberg agency has drawn up on behalf of the Economie071 partnership. This includes not only Leiden, Leiderdorp, Oegstgeest, Voorschoten and Zoeterwoude, but also Katwijk.
The economy grew despite the impact of corona, the war in Ukraine and the shortages on the labor market. The showpiece of the Leiden knowledge economy is the Leiden Bio Science Park. The Index071 mentions companies that have joined there: MIDA Biotech, specialized in gene and cell therapy, and the American Bristol Myers Squibb, one of the largest pharmaceutical companies in the world. The Bio Science Park expects the number of employees at the park to grow from 20,000 to 27,000 or 30,000 in 2027. The park is now also embracing two other sectors: biodiversity and ‘space’. A cautious collaboration within the region in the field of drones and sensor technology can be seen from the report.
The search for people to fill the vacancies at the Leiden Bio Science Park is a point of attention. There are recruitment campaigns to attract international talent. Index071 says that care must be taken to slow down the internationalisation in university education, which is much discussed . “Without those internationals, even the flourishing 071 area will become quiet”, the report warns. It states that the educational function of the Leiden region is doing well, but that the internship market for MBO students is under pressure. One explanation is that in many companies with staff shortages and high work pressure, there is hardly any time to supervise interns.
Following Amsterdam
The number of start-ups and small businesses is growing spectacularly, according to Index071. This is also accompanied by a redistribution of the available workforce. “There is an exodus from employment, a well-known phenomenon among knowledge workers. Leiden may well follow in Amsterdam’s footsteps. That city is well on its way to a working population that consists for one third of self-employed people and micro-entrepreneurs, usually well-educated and in creative professions.”
The report also focuses on what is called the neighbourhood economy: “The number of jobs in micro-enterprises and in small and medium-sized businesses outside industrial estates and outside the city centre is growing robustly. The age-old separation of functions – living in residential areas and working on estates and in city centres – is coming to an end. More and more front doors in suburbs are being screwed with signs with company names. This is a favourable development for a lively and vital living environment.”
Colorless
Index071 puts recent economic development in the Leiden region in historical perspective. “In 1990, 071 was a somewhat colourless area economically. The city centre of Leiden was recovering from a deep trauma, namely the disappearance of industry. The middle class had left the city and settled elsewhere in the area,” the report states. “But not to work, only to live. 071 was in fact a residential and commuter area serving the Hague agglomeration. It is little known, but the Leiden Merenwijk was intended for the housing needs of The Hague and not for Leiden or regional housing needs.”
The Index071 is an annual report on the economy in the 071 area. The previous edition (2021-2022) called the economic climate very volatile as a result of the war in Ukraine, rising inflation, a housing shortage and elusive climate goals. Even then, there were concerns about the tight labour market.
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