De Economist is a Dutch‑language, peer‑reviewed academic journal covering the field of economics. It is published by the Royal Netherlands Economic Association (Koninklijke Nederlandse Economische Vereniging, KNOM) in collaboration with the publishing house Springer Nature.
History
The journal was established in 1855, making it one of the oldest continuously published economics periodicals worldwide. It originated as the official organ of the Royal Economic Association, which sought to promote the diffusion of economic knowledge in the Netherlands. Over its history, De Economist has undergone several changes in editorial policy and format, transitioning from a primarily news‑type bulletin to a scholarly journal featuring original research articles, review essays, and book reviews.
Scope and Content
De Economist focuses on both theoretical and applied economics, with particular emphasis on topics relevant to the Dutch and broader European context. The journal publishes articles in Dutch, though occasional contributions in English are accepted, especially when addressing an international audience. Typical subject areas include macroeconomics, microeconomics, econometrics, economic history, public finance, and regional economics.
Editorial Structure
The journal is managed by an editorial board composed of scholars from Dutch universities and research institutes. Submissions undergo a double‑blind peer‑review process, and decisions are made based on scholarly merit, relevance, and methodological rigor.
Publication Frequency and Access
De Economist is issued quarterly. Recent issues are available in both print and electronic formats. Selected articles are accessible through institutional subscriptions and digital libraries; a limited number of papers are made openly available under the publisher’s hybrid open‑access policy.
Impact and Recognition
While the journal primarily serves the Dutch‑speaking academic community, it is indexed in major bibliographic databases such as Scopus and the Social Sciences Citation Index (SSCI). Its citation metrics place it among the reputable regional economics journals, though its impact factor is modest compared with larger English‑language publications.
Associated Activities
The Royal Netherlands Economic Association, the journal’s sponsoring organization, holds annual conferences, workshops, and award ceremonies that often feature contributions from De Economist authors. The journal also publishes special issues dedicated to significant economic anniversaries, methodological debates, or thematic collections coordinated with these events.
Language and Accessibility
All primary research articles are published in Dutch, aligning with the journal’s mission to foster economic discourse in the national language. Abstracts are typically provided in both Dutch and English to broaden the journal’s visibility.
References
- Royal Netherlands Economic Association (KNOM) publications.
- Springer Nature journal information pages.
- Scopus and Web of Science indexing records.