The economy grew throughout the Netherlands last year, but was strongest in the Amsterdam region, the national statistics office CBS said on Tuesday.

The sole exception to this upward trend was in the north of Groningen province where declining gas production depressed figures.

The Dutch economy grew by an average of 2.2% in 2016  but there were wide regional differences. The economy of the Zaan region just north of Amsterdam registered the strongest growth at 3.3%, boosted by the local food processing industry.

Higher-than-average gains were seen in the northern port of Delfzijl (driven by industry), Haarlemmermeer (Schiphol airport) and Utrecht West (construction), the CBS said. Amsterdam benefited from growth in the property market.

At 3%, Amsterdam registered the strongest growth of the four largest Dutch cities. Growth in both Utrecht and Rotterdam was put at 2.3% while The Hague trailed at 2.2%.

Unemployment

Unemployment was highest in the Rotterdam region, the CBS added, reaching 11.3% in the region and 8.2% in the city itself. In the country as a whole, some 6% of the working population was without a job.