Merchandise exports as a share of GDP in select European countries 1950-1998

Over the late 20^th century, European integration became fundamental to Western Europe's economic growth. Developed nations overtook developing economies as the most common destination for European products, and in Germany alone the share of exports going to the EU and U.S. rose from 23 percent in 1961 to 62 percent in 1990. In terms of contributions to GDP, the Netherlands saw the largest share of its GDP come from exports in each of the given years; in 1973, Dutch exports were responsible for approximately 41 percent of GDP, which was almost four times the global average.