Form of Government: Constitutional monarchy
Area: 41 543 sq km
Population: 17 475 415 inhab. (estimate 2020)
Density: 420.66 inhab./sq km
Coordinates: lat. 54° - 51° N; long. 3° - 7° E
Capital: Amsterdam (capital) 873 338 inhab. (2020); Amsterdam 1 157 000 inhab. (2020), urban agglomeration; The Hague=’s-Gravenhage (seat of government) 548 320 inhab. (2020); The Hague 1 054 793 inhab. (2014), urban agglomeration
Currency: euro (100 cents)
Human development index: 0.944 (rank: 8)
Sovereign: King Willem-Alexander, since 30 April 2013
Prime Minister: Mark Rutte (VVD), in office since 14 October 2010, re-elected 26 October 2017
Dutch House of Representatives: seats based on the elections of 15/17 March 2021: VVD (People's Party for Freedom and Democracy, liberal), 34; D66 (Democrats 66, progressive liberal), 24; PVV (Party for Freedom, populist xenophobic), 17; CDA (Christian Democratic Appeal), 15; SP (Socialist Party), 9; PvdA (Labour Party), 9; GL (Green Left), 8; others, 34
Internet: www.cbs.nl (Statistics Netherlands)
Member of Benelux, Council of Europe, EBRD, EU, NATO, OAS observer, OECD, OSCE, UN, WTO
Netherlands

International license plate code NL
International dialling code 0031
Travel vaccinations requirement none
Electricity (Voltage) 230
Driving side rigth
Internet code .nl
GMT +1
DST +2
DST duration (start-end) late March-late October
Annual average temperature (°C) Amsterdam 9.7
Average temperature in January/July (°C) Amsterdam 2.5/17
Daily sunshine hours in June/December (average) Amsterdam 7/1
Annual average precipitation (mm) Amsterdam 780
Days of rainfall (annual average) Amsterdam 127

The parliamentary elections held from 15 to 17 March 2021 were won by Prime Minister Mark Rutte’s liberal VVD party (21.9%). The pro-European D66 came second (15%). After the vote, 17 parliamentary groups were set up, which has made talks to form the government difficult. Rutte’s outgoing government remains in office.
Geography.
The Netherlands is bordered to the east by Germany, to the south by Belgium, and to the north and west by the North Sea. With the exception of the Ardennes hills in the southernmost province of Limburg, the Netherlands is a vast low-lying plain protected along its coast by a major system of sea-barriers, embankments and canals. The country’s largest river is the Rhine. The climate is maritime with abundant rainfall. The Bonaire Islands, which lie opposite the coast of Venezuela, are also part of the Netherlands, together with Sint Eustatius and Saba in the Lesser Antilles.
Government
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. A law was introduced in 2019 requiring women to serve on the boards of listed companies.
Administrative division
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
Amsterdam | 873 338 | inhab. | 2020 |
Rotterdam | 651 631 | inhab. | 2020 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
Rotterdam | 1 181 284 | inhab. | 2014 |
Amsterdam | 1 157 000 | inhab. | 2020 |
Population
Population by age and gender (% - 2020) | ||||||||
| ||||||||
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.
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
Birth rate | 9.8 | ‰ | 2019 |
Death rate | 8.8 | ‰ | 2019 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
Foreigners, total | 2 262 256 | units | 2020 |
Turks | 197 446 | units | 2020 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
Dutch | 87$ | % | 2020 |
other | 7.8 | % | 2020 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
nonreligious/atheist | 51$ | % | 2019 |
Catholic | 23.6 | % | 2019 |
DESCRIPTION |
---|
Dutch (Netherlandic) (official) |
Frisian |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
0-14 years | 16.1 | % | 2020 |
15-29 years | 18.3 | % | 2020 |
Economy
Economic situation.
In 2020, the economy was deeply impacted by the health emergency (-3.8%). The GDP is expected to recover in 2021 (+3.5%). Consumer and business confidence are improving.
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
Agricultural prod. index (2004-06=100) | 117.81 | index | 2016 |
Agricultural prod. index (2014-16=100) | 99.94 | index | 2019 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
Active population | 9 337 700 | units | 2020 |
Active population, Females | 46.9 | % | 2020 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
Unemployment rate | 3.8 | % | 2020 |
Unemployment rate, Females | 48.5 | % | 2020 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
Expenses | 252 504 | M LCU | 2020 |
Revenues | 215 023 | M LCU | 2020 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
agriculture | 1.852 | % | 2020 |
industry | 14.284 | % | 2020 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
agriculture | 1.774 | % | 2020 |
industry | 19.925 | % | 2020 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
Currency in circulation | 77.893 | BN LCU | 2020 |
International reserves | 53 971.405 | M US$ | 2020 |
Agriculture
Primary sector
Agriculture.
Cereals account for half of all arable land. Potatoes, sugar beet, market gardening and flower-growing are also important.
Livestock and fishing.
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, which are widely exported. 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.
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
arable land | 31.443 | % | 2018 |
forests | 10.915 | % | 2018 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
barley | 242.37 | 1000 t | 2019 |
cereals, total | 1 541.91 | 1000 t | 2019 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
potatoes | 6 961.23 | 1000 t | 2019 |
roots and tubers, total | 6 961.23 | 1000 t | 2019 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
asparagus | 18.15 | 1000 t | 2019 |
cabbages | 245.29 | 1000 t | 2019 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
beans, dry | 1.829 | 1000 t | 2018 |
beans, green | 49.15 | 1000 t | 2019 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
grapes | 1.6 | 1000 t | 2019 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
rapeseed | 6.01 | 1000 t | 2019 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
sugar beet | 6 644.71 | 1000 t | 2019 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
flax fibre and tow | 13.36 | 1000 t | 2019 |
linseed | 1.508 | 1000 t | 2018 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
hemp tow waste | 14.07 | 1000 t | 2019 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
apples | 273 | 1000 t | 2019 |
blueberries | 11.06 | 1000 t | 2019 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
mushrooms | 300 | 1000 t | 2019 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
barley | 33.39 | 1000 ha | 2019 |
maize | 19.01 | 1000 ha | 2019 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
potatoes | 165.73 | 1000 ha | 2019 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
cabbages | 6.09 | 1000 ha | 2019 |
carrots and turnips | 9.91 | 1000 ha | 2019 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
beans, dry | 1.016 | 1000 ha | 2018 |
beans, green | 4$ | 1000 ha | 2019 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
grape | 0.16 | 1000 ha | 2019 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
rapeseed | 1.78 | 1000 ha | 2019 |
soybeans | 0.48 | 1000 ha | 2019 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
hops | 0.01 | 1000 ha | 2018 |
sugar beet | 79.18 | 1000 ha | 2019 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
flax fibre and tow | 2.29 | 1000 ha | 2019 |
linseed | 2.218 | 1000 ha | 2018 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
hemp tow waste | 1.88 | 1000 ha | 2019 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
apples | 6.42 | 1000 ha | 2019 |
blueberries | 1.11 | 1000 ha | 2019 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
mushrooms | 0.06 | 1000 ha | 2019 |
Forests-Livestock-Fishing
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
timber | 2 805 000 | m³ | 2019 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
cattle | 3 721 | 1000 heads | 2019 |
cattle and buffaloes | 3 721 | 1000 heads | 2019 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
pigs | 11 921 | 1000 heads | 2019 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
sheep | 758 | 1000 heads | 2019 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
goats | 551 | 1000 heads | 2019 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
equines, total | 141.386 | 1000 heads | 2018 |
horses | 141.386 | 1000 heads | 2018 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
birds | 105 438 | 1000 heads | 2018 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
butter | 153.674 | 1000 t | 2018 |
cheese | 953 | 1000 t | 2018 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
crustaceans and molluscs | 72 965 | t | 2019 |
freshwater fishes | 3 705 | t | 2019 |
Minerals
Secondary sector
Minerals.
The country has vast natural gas reserves both offshore and on the mainland: however, the largest gas field in Groningen will stop its on-site production by 2023. The BBL pipeline transports gas to and from the UK; another pipeline connects the country with Denmark.
A regasification terminal is active in Rotterdam. Oil production is important (fields of Coevorden-Schoonebeek, Rijswijk and offshore). 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. A connection with the Danish electricity grid is in operation; an agreement for greater cooperation in energy sector was signed with Germany. Major industries include textile fibres (man-made and synthetic) and fertilizers. Production of salt, chlorine and soda is also relevant.
The steel industry has several hubs, including Rotterdam. Some large multinational companies are based in the Netherlands, such as Unilever (agriculture and food, cleaning products), Royal Dutch Shell (oil), Philips (electronics), Stellantis (automotive), Campari (beverages). Mechanical industry includes ship-building, automobiles and railway workshops. Textile mills process cotton and wool. Other industries include tobacco, sugar, margarine, cocoa and chocolate, beers, spirits, leather, diamonds, porcelain and pottery.
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
natural gas | 19 972.2 | M m³ | 2020 |
oil, crude | 1 632.2 | 1000 t | 2020 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
salt | 5 000 | 1000 t | 2020 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
sand and gravel - t | 51 000 | 1000 t | 2020 |
Energy
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
- thermal | 88 324.84 | M kWh | 2019 |
- other renew. | 22 626.56 | M kWh | 2019 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
- thermal | 24 301.5 | 1000 kW | 2018 |
- other renew. | 12 474 | 1000 kW | 2019 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
total net generation | 114 725.36 | M kWh | 2019 |
total installed capacity | 35 021.5 | 1000 kW | 2018 |
Industry
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
aluminium | 150 | 1000 t | 2019 |
aluminium, primary | 150 | 1000 t | 2019 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
bikes | 887 131 | no. | 2016 |
cars | 127 058 | no. | 2020 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
air conditioners | 12 177 | no. | 2016 |
fridges | 67 610 | no. | 2015 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
bitumen | 330 | 1000 t | 2018 |
petrol | 14 848.4 | 1000 t | 2014 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
ammonia | 2 200 | 1000 t | 2020 |
caustic soda | 0.8 | 1000 t | 2014 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
carpets | 156 000 | 1000 m² | 2019 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
footwear | 372 466 | pairs | 2016 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
beer of barley | 2 477.53 | 1000 t | 2018 |
fish, frozen | 54.4 | 1000 t | 2016 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
cigars | 2 545.3 | M units | 2005 |
tobacco | 36 889 | t | 2016 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
mechanical pulp | 33.821 | 1000 t | 2019 |
other paper | 2 895 | 1000 t | 2019 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
cement | 2 690 | 1000 t | 2018 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
chemicals production | 16 869.247 | M US$ | 2018 |
food, beverages and tobacco production | 18 045.531 | M US$ | 2018 |
Trade
Tertiary sector.
The country shows a tendency toward tertiary and foreign trade. Many services are focused in the transportation and logistics sectors. Rotterdam is the biggest port in Europe. After Brexit, the number of businesses attracted has doubled in 2019.
Main exports (M US$ - 2017) machinery 56 408, telecommunications equipment 50 833, petroleum products 44 591, computers & accessories 36 845, chemicals 36 343, electrical & electronic equipment 36 283, pharmaceuticals 33 530, optical & electro-medical appliances 30 093, vehicles & parts thereof 27 332, plastics 25 450, iron & steel 23 251, fruit & vegetables 15 096, plants & flowers 10 327, apparel & accessories 10 159
Finance and banking.
The Amsterdam Stock Exchange belongs to the Euronext group.
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
manufactures | 65.487 | % of goods exports | 2019 |
food products | 15.159 | % of goods exports | 2019 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
Germany | 121 518 | M US$ | 2020 |
Belgium | 56 632 | M US$ | 2020 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
Germany | 85 227 | M US$ | 2020 |
China | 50 461 | M US$ | 2020 |
Tourism
Tourism. The cities, mainly Amsterdam, Rotterdam, The Hague and Utrecht, attract most tourists.
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
Expenditures | 25 952 | M US$ | 2018 |
Number of arrivals | 20 128 000 | units | 2019 |
Communications
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.
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
Civil aviation, km flown | 459 500 000 | km flown | 2004 |
Civil aviation, passengers carried | 46 358.5 | 1000 units | 2019 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
Broadband subscribers | 436.272 | per 1000 pop. | 2019 |
Computers | 912 | per 1000 pop. | 2008 |
Social and welfare
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.
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
Expected years of schooling | 18.56 | years | 2018 |
Gradautes, percentage | 40.385 | % | 2019 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
Students, primary level | 1 175 018 | units | 2018 |
Students, secondary level | 1 632 486 | units | 2018 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
Social protection spending | 36.743 | % of total expenses | 2019 |
Social protection spending | 16.08 | % of GDP | 2019 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
Hospital beds | 3.17 | per 1000 pop. | 2018 |
Physicians | 3.67 | per 1000 pop. | 2018 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
HIV | 0.2 | % of adults | 2019 |
HIV, total | 0.1 | % | 2001 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
Museums | 694 | units | 2016 |
Museums, visitors | 34 400 000 | units | 2016 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
Research and development spending | 2.16 | % of GDP | 2019 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
Access to clean fuels and technologies for cooking | 100 | % | 2019 |
Access to electricity | 100 | % | 2019 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
clothing, footwear | 5.1 | % | 2019 |
education | 0.7 | % | 2019 |