Formerly the Republic of the Seven United Netherlands (from 1581) and an independent kingdom (from 1830), the country has been alternately governed since 1950 by the Christian-Democratic and Labour parties, often at the head of centre-left or centre-right coalitions. Under the Constitution of 17 February 1983, legislative power resides with the Crown and the Parliament (States-General) comprising two chambers elected with four-year mandates: the House of Representatives or Lower House (150 directly-elected members) and the Senate (75 members elected by provincial assemblies).

Defence.
In 2014 the Netherlands joined with other countries in the fight to limit the power of ISIS in Iraq.

Justice.
The judicial system is largely based on that of France, and has steadily worked to extend the civil rights of citizens. Same-sex marriages were legalized in 2000, and euthanasia in 2001.

Population by age and gender (% - 2017)
	75+ 60-74 45-59 30-44 15-29 0-14
MALE	AGE	FEMALE

The population density is one of the highest in Western Europe. The number of immigrants exceeds that of emigrants, but large numbers of Dutch people continue to migrate.

Economic situation.
A phase of economic expansion continues, with a steady growth around 3%. The unemployment rate dropped to 4.9%, a historical record. Public finances are stable.

Primary sector
Agriculture.
Cereals account for half of all arable land. Potatoes, sugar beet, market gardening and flower-growing are also important.
Livestock.
Almost half the added value of the primary sector comes from livestock farming (mainly cattle and pigs) which produces meat and dairy products, especially cheeses (at Edam, Alkmaar, Hoorn and Gouda) which are widely exported.
Fishing.
There is a modern, well developed fishing industry. Herring is the most important product, with its main processing and smoking centre at Vlaardingen. Oyster fishing is active in Zealand. The main fishing ports are Scheveningen, Katwijk, Vlaardingen and IJmuiden.

Secondary sector
Minerals.
The country has vast natural gas reserves both offshore and on the mainland: however, production from the largest gas field in Groningen will be closed down by 2030. From 2019 it will be possible to transport gas from the UK to the Netherlands through the BBL pipeline, further integrating the European market. Oil production is important (fields of Coevorden-Schoonebeek, Rijswijk). There are also significant deposits of salt.
Energy and industry.
Large oil refineries operate in Amsterdam, Rotterdam and Vlissingen. A nuclear power station is active at Borssele. Major industries include textile fibres (man-made and synthetic) and fertilizers. Salt, chlorine and soda are produced at Hengelo and near Delfzijl. The iron and steel industry is based at IJmuiden, Budel, Arnhem, Delfzijl and Rotterdam. Big multinationals based in the Netherlands include Unilever (agriculture and food, cleaning products), Royal Dutch Shell (oil), Philips (electronics), FCA and Renault (automotive). Mechanical industry includes ship-building, automobiles and railway workshops. There are textile mills at Twente (cotton) and Tilburg (wool). Other industries include tobacco, sugar, margarine, cocoa and chocolate, beers, spirits, leather, diamonds, porcelain and pottery.

Tertiary sector.
The tertiary sector is worth over 75% of the GDP. The country shows a tendency toward foreign trade and constitutes the first gateway to the European market. Many services are focused in the transportation and logistics sectors. Rotterdam is the biggest port in Europe.

Main exports (M US$ - 2017) machinery 56 408, telecommunications equipment 50 833, petroleum products 44 591, computers and accessories 36 845, chemicals 36 343, electrical and electronic equipment 36 283, pharmaceuticals 33 530, optical and electro-medical appliances 30 093, vehicles and parts thereof 27 332, plastics 25 450, iron and steel 23 251, fruit and vegetables 15 096, plants and flowers 10 327, apparel and accessories 10 159, meat 9 847, crude oil 9 263, aluminium 8 769, cheese and dairy products 8 713, fruit & vegetable juices and preserves 5 997

Finance and banking.
The Amsterdam Stock Exchange belongs to the Euronext group.

Tourism. The cities, mainly Amsterdam, Rotterdam, The Hague and Utrecht, attract most tourists.

Transport.
The highly developed canal and river network accounts for about a third of all freight transport and connects directly with Germany, Belgium, France and Switzerland.

Education, culture & research.
Compulsory education is full-time from 5 to 16 years and part-time for two years.

Social security and health.
The highly efficient social security system is partially private, the state only being responsible for pensions, low-income benefit and disability benefit.