2013 Edition

Background

The Dutch United Provinces declared their independence from Spain in 1579; during the 17th century, they became a leading seafaring and commercial power, with settlements and colonies around the world. After a 20-year French occupation, a Kingdom of the Netherlands was formed in 1815. In 1830 Belgium seceded and formed a separate kingdom. The Netherlands remained neutral in World War I, but suffered invasion and occupation by Germany in World War II. A modern, industrialized nation, the Netherlands is also a large exporter of agricultural products. The country was a founding member of NATO and the EEC (now the EU) and participated in the introduction of the euro in 1999. In October 2010, the former Netherlands Antilles was dissolved and the three smallest islands - Bonaire, Sint Eustatius, and Saba - became special municipalities in the Netherlands administrative structure. The larger islands of Sint Maarten and Curacao joined the Netherlands and Aruba as constituent countries forming the Kingdom of the Netherlands.

Area

41,543 sq km 33,893 sq km 7,650 sq km

total

41,543 sq km

water

7,650 sq km

Area - comparative

slightly less than twice the size of New Jersey

Climate

temperate; marine; cool summers and mild winters

Coastline

451 km

Elevation extremes

Zuidplaspolder -7 m Mount Scenery 862 m (on the island of Saba in the Caribbean, now considered an integral part of the Netherlands following the dissolution of the Netherlands Antilles) the highest point on continental Netherlands is Vaalserberg at 322 m

highest point

Mount Scenery 862 m (on the island of Saba in the Caribbean, now considered an integral part of the Netherlands following the dissolution of the Netherlands Antilles)

lowest point

Zuidplaspolder -7 m

Environment - current issues

water pollution in the form of heavy metals, organic compounds, and nutrients such as nitrates and phosphates; air pollution from vehicles and refining activities; acid rain

Environment - international agreements

Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulfur 85, Air Pollution-Sulfur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling none of the selected agreements

party to

Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulfur 85, Air Pollution-Sulfur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling

signed, but not ratified

none of the selected agreements

Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural)

10.61 cu km/yr (12%/88%/1%) 636.7 cu m/yr (2008)

per capita

636.7 cu m/yr (2008)

total

10.61 cu km/yr (12%/88%/1%)

Geographic coordinates

52 30 N, 5 45 E

Geography - note

located at mouths of three major European rivers (Rhine, Maas or Meuse, and Schelde)

Irrigated land

4,572 sq km (2007)

Land boundaries

1,027 km Belgium 450 km, Germany 577 km

border countries

Belgium 450 km, Germany 577 km

total

1,027 km

Land use

25.08% 0.88% 74.04% (2011)

arable land

25.08%

other

74.04% (2011)

permanent crops

0.88%

Location

Western Europe, bordering the North Sea, between Belgium and Germany

Map references

Europe

Maritime claims

12 nm 24 nm 200 nm

contiguous zone

24 nm

exclusive fishing zone

200 nm

territorial sea

12 nm

Natural hazards

flooding

Natural resources

natural gas, petroleum, peat, limestone, salt, sand and gravel, arable land

Terrain

mostly coastal lowland and reclaimed land (polders); some hills in southeast

Total renewable water resources

91 cu km (2011)

Age structure

17.1% (male 1,468,364/female 1,401,651) 12.2% (male 1,041,181/female 1,002,125) 40.8% (male 3,436,713/female 3,411,374) 12.9% (male 1,083,095/female 1,085,929) 17.1% (male 1,284,788/female 1,589,817) (2013 est.)

0-14 years

17.1% (male 1,468,364/female 1,401,651)

15-24 years

12.2% (male 1,041,181/female 1,002,125)

25-54 years

40.8% (male 3,436,713/female 3,411,374)

55-64 years

12.9% (male 1,083,095/female 1,085,929)

65 years and over

17.1% (male 1,284,788/female 1,589,817) (2013 est.)

Birth rate

10.85 births/1,000 population (2013 est.)

Contraceptive prevalence rate

69% percent of women aged 18-45 (2008)

Death rate

8.48 deaths/1,000 population (2013 est.)

Dependency ratios

51.7 % 25.9 % 25.8 % 3.9 (2013)

elderly dependency ratio

25.8 %

potential support ratio

3.9 (2013)

total dependency ratio

51.7 %

youth dependency ratio

25.9 %

Drinking water source

urban: 100% of population rural: 100% of population total: 100% of population (2010 est.)

rural

100% of population

total

100% of population (2010 est.)

urban

100% of population

Education expenditures

5.9% of GDP (2009)

Ethnic groups

Dutch 80.7%, EU 5%, Indonesian 2.4%, Turkish 2.2%, Surinamese 2%, Moroccan 2%, Caribbean 0.8%, other 4.8% (2008 est.)

Health expenditures

12% of GDP (2011)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

0.2% (2009 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths

fewer than 100 (2009 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

22,000 (2009 est.)

Hospital bed density

4.7 beds/1,000 population (2009)

Infant mortality rate

3.69 deaths/1,000 live births 3.99 deaths/1,000 live births 3.38 deaths/1,000 live births (2013 est.)

female

3.38 deaths/1,000 live births (2013 est.)

total

3.69 deaths/1,000 live births

Languages

Dutch (official), Frisian (official)

Life expectancy at birth

81.01 years 78.93 years 83.21 years (2013 est.)

female

83.21 years (2013 est.)

total population

81.01 years

Literacy

age 15 and over can read and write 99% 99% 99% (2003 est.)

definition

age 15 and over can read and write

female

99% (2003 est.)

male

99%

total population

99%

Major urban areas - population

AMSTERDAM (capital) 1.044 million; Rotterdam 1.008 million; The Hague (seat of government) 629,000 (2009)

Maternal mortality rate

6 deaths/100,000 live births (2010)

Median age

41.8 years 41 years 42.6 years (2013 est.)

female

42.6 years (2013 est.)

male

41 years

total

41.8 years

Mother's mean age at first birth

28.9 (2005 est.)

Nationality

Dutchman(men), Dutchwoman(women) Dutch

adjective

Dutch

noun

Dutchman(men), Dutchwoman(women)

Net migration rate

1.99 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2013 est.)

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

18.8% (2008)

Physicians density

3.92 physicians/1,000 population (2007)

Population

16,805,037 (July 2013 est.)

Population growth rate

0.44% (2013 est.)

Religions

Roman Catholic 30%, Protestant 20% (Dutch Reformed 11%, Calvinist 6%, other Protestant 3%), Muslim 5.8%, other 2.2%, none 42% (2006)

Sanitation facility access

urban: 100% of population rural: 100% of population total: 100% of population (2010 est.)

rural

100% of population

total

100% of population (2010 est.)

urban

100% of population

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

17 years 17 years 17 years (2010)

female

17 years (2010)

male

17 years

total

17 years

Sex ratio

1.05 male(s)/female 1.05 male(s)/female 1.04 male(s)/female 1.01 male(s)/female 1 male(s)/female 0.8 male(s)/female 0.98 male(s)/female (2013 est.)

0-14 years

1.05 male(s)/female

15-24 years

1.04 male(s)/female

25-54 years

1.01 male(s)/female

55-64 years

1 male(s)/female

65 years and over

0.8 male(s)/female

at birth

1.05 male(s)/female

total population

0.98 male(s)/female (2013 est.)

Total fertility rate

1.78 children born/woman (2013 est.)

Unemployment, youth ages 15-24

7.7% 7.5% 7.8% (2011)

female

7.8% (2011)

total

7.7%

Urbanization

83% of total population (2010) 0.8% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

rate of urbanization

0.8% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

urban population

83% of total population (2010)

Administrative divisions

12 provinces (provincies, singular - provincie); Drenthe, Flevoland, Fryslan (Friesland), Gelderland, Groningen, Limburg, Noord-Brabant (North Brabant), Noord-Holland (North Holland), Overijssel, Utrecht, Zeeland (Zealand), Zuid-Holland (South Holland)

Capital

Amsterdam 52 21 N, 4 55 E UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October The Hague is the seat of government; time descriptions apply to the continental Netherlands only, not to the Caribbean components

daylight saving time

+1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October

geographic coordinates

52 21 N, 4 55 E

name

Amsterdam

time difference

UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

Constitution

previous 1597, 1798; latest adopted 24 August 1815 (substantially revised in 1848); amended many times, last in 2010 (2013)

Country name

Kingdom of the Netherlands Netherlands Koninkrijk der Nederlanden Nederland

conventional long form

Kingdom of the Netherlands

conventional short form

Netherlands

local long form

Koninkrijk der Nederlanden

local short form

Nederland

Dependent areas

Aruba, Curacao, Sint Maarten

Diplomatic representation from the US

Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Adam STERLING (since July 2013) Lange Voorhout 102, 2514 EJ, The Hague PSC 71, Box 1000, APO AE 09715 [31] (70) 310-2209 [31] (70) 310-2207 Amsterdam

chief of mission

Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Adam STERLING (since July 2013)

consulate(s) general

Amsterdam

embassy

Lange Voorhout 102, 2514 EJ, The Hague

FAX

[31] (70) 310-2207

mailing address

PSC 71, Box 1000, APO AE 09715

telephone

[31] (70) 310-2209

Diplomatic representation in the US

Ambassador Rudolf Simon BEKINK (since 20 July 2012) 4200 Linnean Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 [1] (202) 244-5300, [1] 877-388-2443 [1] (202) 362-3430 Chicago, Miami, New York, San Francisco Boston

chancery

4200 Linnean Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008

chief of mission

Ambassador Rudolf Simon BEKINK (since 20 July 2012)

consulate(s)

Boston

consulate(s) general

Chicago, Miami, New York, San Francisco

FAX

[1] (202) 362-3430

telephone

[1] (202) 244-5300, [1] 877-388-2443

Executive branch

King WILLEM-ALEXANDER (since 30 April 2013) Prime Minister Mark RUTTE (since 14 October 2010); Deputy Prime Minister Lodewijk ASSCHER (since 5 November 2012); note - Mark RUTTE tendered his resignation 23 April 2012; new elections were held on 12 September 2012 in which his party won the most seats; during the interim period he remained in office in a care-taking position; he was sworn in again to be prime minister on 5 November 2012 Council of Ministers appointed by the monarch the monarchy is hereditary; following Second Chamber elections, the leader of the majority party or leader of a majority coalition usually appointed prime minister by the monarch; deputy prime ministers appointed by the monarch there is also a Council of State composed of the monarch, heir apparent, and councilors that provides consultations to the cabinet on legislative and administrative policy

cabinet

Council of Ministers appointed by the monarch

chief of state

King WILLEM-ALEXANDER (since 30 April 2013)

elections

the monarchy is hereditary; following Second Chamber elections, the leader of the majority party or leader of a majority coalition usually appointed prime minister by the monarch; deputy prime ministers appointed by the monarch

head of government

Prime Minister Mark RUTTE (since 14 October 2010); Deputy Prime Minister Lodewijk ASSCHER (since 5 November 2012); note - Mark RUTTE tendered his resignation 23 April 2012; new elections were held on 12 September 2012 in which his party won the most seats; during the interim period he remained in office in a care-taking position; he was sworn in again to be prime minister on 5 November 2012

Flag description

three equal horizontal bands of red (top), white, and blue; similar to the flag of Luxembourg, which uses a lighter blue and is longer; the colors were those of WILLIAM I, Prince of Orange, who led the Dutch Revolt against Spanish sovereignty in the latter half of the 16th century; originally the upper band was orange, but because it tended to fade to red over time, the red shade was eventually made the permanent color; the banner is perhaps the oldest tricolor in continuous use

Government type

constitutional monarchy

Independence

23 January 1579 (the northern provinces of the Low Countries conclude the Union of Utrecht breaking with Spain; on 26 July 1581 they formally declared their independence with an Act of Abjuration; however, it was not until 30 January 1648 and the Peace of Westphalia that Spain recognized this independence)

International law organization participation

accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction

International organization participation

ADB (nonregional member), AfDB (nonregional member), Arctic Council (observer), Australia Group, Benelux, BIS, CBSS (observer), CD, CE, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, ECB, EIB, EITI (implementing country), EMU, ESA, EU, FAO, FATF, G-10, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IGAD (partners), IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OPCW, OSCE, Paris Club, PCA, Schengen Convention, SELEC (observer), UN, UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMISS, UNRWA, UNTSO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC

Judicial branch

Supreme Court or Hoge Raad (consists of 41 judges: the president, 6 vice-presidents, 31 justices or raadsheren, and 3 justices in exceptional service, referred to as buitengewone dienst); the court is divided into criminal, civil, tax, and ombuds chambers justices appointed by the monarch from a list provided by the Second Chamber of the States General; justices appointed for life or until mandatory retirement at age 70 courts of appeal; district courts, each with up to 5 subdistrict courts

highest court(s)

Supreme Court or Hoge Raad (consists of 41 judges: the president, 6 vice-presidents, 31 justices or raadsheren, and 3 justices in exceptional service, referred to as buitengewone dienst); the court is divided into criminal, civil, tax, and ombuds chambers

judge selection and term of office

justices appointed by the monarch from a list provided by the Second Chamber of the States General; justices appointed for life or until mandatory retirement at age 70

subordinate courts

courts of appeal; district courts, each with up to 5 subdistrict courts

Legal system

civil law system based on the French system; constitution does not permit judicial review of acts of the States General

Legislative branch

bicameral States General or Staten Generaal consists of the First Chamber or Eerste Kamer (75 seats; members indirectly elected by the country's 12 provincial councils to serve four-year terms) and the Second Chamber or Tweede Kamer (150 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve at most four-year terms) First Chamber - last held on May 2011 (next to be held in May 2015); Second Chamber - last held on 12 September 2012 (next to be held by September 2016) First Chamber - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - VVD 16, PvdA 14, CDA 11, PVV 10, SP 8, D66 5, GL 5, other 6; Second Chamber - percent of vote by party - VVD 26.6%, PvdA 24.8%, PVV, 10.1%, SP 9.7%, CDA 8.5%, D66 8.0%, CU 3.1%, GL 6.7%, other 2.5%; seats by party - VVD 41, PvdA 38, PVV 15, SP 15, CDA 13, D66 12, CU 5, GL 4, other 7

election results

First Chamber - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - VVD 16, PvdA 14, CDA 11, PVV 10, SP 8, D66 5, GL 5, other 6; Second Chamber - percent of vote by party - VVD 26.6%, PvdA 24.8%, PVV, 10.1%, SP 9.7%, CDA 8.5%, D66 8.0%, CU 3.1%, GL 6.7%, other 2.5%; seats by party - VVD 41, PvdA 38, PVV 15, SP 15, CDA 13, D66 12, CU 5, GL 4, other 7

elections

First Chamber - last held on May 2011 (next to be held in May 2015); Second Chamber - last held on 12 September 2012 (next to be held by September 2016)

National anthem

"Het Wilhelmus" (The William) Philips VAN MARNIX van Sint Aldegonde (presumed)/unknown adopted 1932, in use since the 17th century, making it the oldest national anthem in the world; also known as "Wilhelmus van Nassouwe" (William of Nassau), it is in the form of an acrostic, where the first letter of each stanza spells the name of the leader of the Dutch Revolt

lyrics/music

Philips VAN MARNIX van Sint Aldegonde (presumed)/unknown

name

"Het Wilhelmus" (The William)

National holiday

Queen's Day (Birthday of deceased Queen-Mother JULIANA and accession to the throne of her oldest daughter BEATRIX), 30 April (1909 and 1980)

National symbol(s)

lion

Political parties and leaders

Christian Democratic Appeal or CDA [Sybrand VAN HAERSMA BUMA] Christian Union or CU [Arie SLOB] Democrats 66 or D66 [Alexander PECHTOLD] Green Left or GL [Bram VAN OJIK] Labor Party or PvdA [Diederik SAMSOM] Party for Freedom or PVV [Geert WILDERS] Party for the Animals or PvdD [Marianne THIEME] People's Party for Freedom and Democracy or VVD [Halbe ZIJLSTRA] Reformed Political Party of SGP [Kees VAN DER STAAIJ] Socialist Party of SP [Emile ROEMER] plus a few minor parties

Political pressure groups and leaders

Christian Trade Union Federation or CNV [Jaap SMIT] Confederation of Netherlands Industry and Employers or VNO-NCW [Bernard WIENTJES] Federation for Small and Medium-sized businesses or MKB [Hans BIESHEUVEL] Netherlands Trade Union Federation or FNV [Ton HEERTS] Social Economic Council or SER [Wiebe DRAIJER] Trade Union Federation of Middle and High Personnel or MHP [Reginald VISSER]

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Agriculture - products

grains, potatoes, sugar beets, fruits, vegetables; livestock

Budget

$358.4 billion $389.4 billion (2012 est.)

expenditures

$389.4 billion (2012 est.)

revenues

$358.4 billion

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

-4.1% of GDP (2012 est.)

Central bank discount rate

1.5% (31 December 2012) 1.75% (31 December 2010) this is the European Central Bank's rate on the marginal lending facility, which offers overnight credit to banks in the euro area

Commercial bank prime lending rate

2.65% (31 December 2012 est.) 3.19% (31 December 2011 est.)

Current account balance

$77.02 billion (2012 est.) $84.78 billion (2011 est.)

Debt - external

$2.487 trillion (31 December 2012) $2.482 trillion (31 December 2011)

Distribution of family income - Gini index

30.9 (2007) 32.6 (1994)

Economy - overview

The Dutch economy is the sixth-largest economy in the euro-zone and is noted for its stable industrial relations, moderate unemployment and inflation, a sizable trade surplus, and an important role as a European transportation hub. Industrial activity is predominantly in food processing, chemicals, petroleum refining, and electrical machinery. A highly mechanized agricultural sector employs only 2% of the labor force but provides large surpluses for the food-processing industry and for exports. The Netherlands, along with 11 of its EU partners, began circulating the euro currency on 1 January 2002. After 26 years of uninterrupted economic growth, the Dutch economy - highly dependent on an international financial sector and international trade - contracted by 3.5% in 2009 as a result of the global financial crisis. The Dutch financial sector suffered, due in part to the high exposure of some Dutch banks to U.S. mortgage-backed securities. In 2008, the government nationalized two banks and injected billions of dollars of capital into other financial institutions, to prevent further deterioration of a crucial sector. The government also sought to boost the domestic economy by accelerating infrastructure programs, offering corporate tax breaks for employers to retain workers, and expanding export credit facilities. The stimulus programs and bank bailouts, however, resulted in a government budget deficit of 5.3% of GDP in 2010 that contrasted sharply with a surplus of 0.7% in 2008. The government of Prime Minister Mark RUTTE began implementing fiscal consolidation measures in early 2011, mainly reductions in expenditures, which resulted in an improved budget deficit in 2011. In 2012 tax revenues dropped nearly 9%, GDP contracted, and the budget deficit deteriorated. Although jobless claims continued to grow, the unemployment rate remained relatively low at 6.8 percent.

Exchange rates

euros (EUR) per US dollar - 0.78 (2012 est.) 0.72 (2011 est.) 0.76 (2010 est.) 0.72 (2009 est.) 0.68 (2008 est.)

Exports

$540.3 billion (2012 est.) $549.1 billion (2011 est.)

Exports - commodities

machinery and equipment, chemicals, fuels; foodstuffs

Exports - partners

Germany 26.5%, Belgium 13.7%, France 8.8%, UK 8%, Italy 4.5% (2012)

Fiscal year

calendar year

GDP - composition, by end use

45.6% 28.4% 17% 0.5% 88% -79.6% (2012 est.)

exports of goods and services

88%

government consumption

28.4%

household consumption

45.6%

imports of goods and services

-79.6%

investment in fixed capital

17%

investment in inventories

0.5%

GDP - composition, by sector of origin

2.5% 24.9% 72.6% (2012 est.)

agriculture

2.5%

industry

24.9%

services

72.6% (2012 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$41,500 (2012 est.) $42,200 (2011 est.) $42,000 (2010 est.) data are in 2012 US dollars

GDP - real growth rate

-1.2% (2012 est.) 0.9% (2011 est.) 1.5% (2010 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$760.4 billion (2012 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$695.8 billion (2012 est.) $704.5 billion (2011 est.) $697.9 billion (2010 est.) data are in 2012 US dollars

Gross national saving

27.5% of GDP (2012 est.) 28.3% of GDP (2011 est.) 25.6% of GDP (2010 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

2.5% 22.9% (1999)

highest 10%

22.9% (1999)

lowest 10%

2.5%

Imports

$476.5 billion (2012 est.) $484 billion (2011 est.)

Imports - commodities

machinery and transport equipment, chemicals, fuels, foodstuffs, clothing

Imports - partners

Germany 13.8%, China 12%, Belgium 8.4%, UK 6.7%, Russia 6.4%, US 6.1% (2012)

Industrial production growth rate

-2.5% (2012 est.)

Industries

agroindustries, metal and engineering products, electrical machinery and equipment, chemicals, petroleum, construction, microelectronics, fishing

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

2.8% (2012 est.) 2.5% (2011 est.)

Labor force

7.895 million (2012 est.)

Labor force - by occupation

2% 18% 80% (2005 est.)

agriculture

2%

industry

18%

services

80% (2005 est.)

Market value of publicly traded shares

$594.7 billion (31 December 2011) $661.2 billion (31 December 2010) $542.5 billion (31 December 2009)

Population below poverty line

10.5% (2005)

Public debt

71.1% of GDP (2012 est.) 65.4% of GDP (2011 est.) data cover general government debt, and includes debt instruments issued (or owned) by government entities other than the treasury; the data include treasury debt held by foreign entities; the data include debt issued by subnational entities, as well as intra-governmental debt; intra-governmental debt consists of treasury borrowings from surpluses in the social funds, such as for retirement, medical care, and unemployment, debt instruments for the social funds are not sold at public auctions

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$54.82 billion (31 December 2012 est.) $51.27 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of broad money

$1.119 trillion (31 December 2011 est.) $1.088 trillion (31 December 2010 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad

$953.8 billion (31 December 2012 est.) $1.052 trillion (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - at home

$560.2 billion (31 December 2012 est.) $628.9 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of domestic credit

$1.7 trillion (31 December 2012 est.) $1.646 trillion (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of narrow money

$389.9 billion (31 December 2012 est.) $369.1 billion (31 December 2011 est.) see entry for the European Union for money supply in the euro area; the European Central Bank (ECB) controls monetary policy for the 17 members of the Economic and Monetary Union (EMU); individual members of the EMU do not control the quantity of money circulating within their own borders

Taxes and other revenues

47.1% of GDP (2012 est.)

Unemployment rate

5.3% (2012 est.) 4.4% (2011 est.)

Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy

253 million Mt (2011 est.)

Crude oil - exports

10,220 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Crude oil - imports

1.027 million bbl/day (2010 est.)

Crude oil - production

71,720 bbl/day (2012 est.)

Crude oil - proved reserves

243.9 million bbl (1 January 2013 es)

Electricity - consumption

110 billion kWh (2010 est.)

Electricity - exports

15.05 billion kWh (2012 est.)

Electricity - from fossil fuels

83.6% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)

Electricity - from hydroelectric plants

0.1% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)

Electricity - from nuclear fuels

1.9% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)

Electricity - from other renewable sources

14.3% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)

Electricity - imports

32.16 billion kWh (2012 est.)

Electricity - installed generating capacity

26.62 million kW (2010 est.)

Electricity - production

106.7 billion kWh (2011 est.)

Natural gas - consumption

54.85 billion cu m (2010 est.)

Natural gas - exports

74.06 billion cu m (2012 est.)

Natural gas - imports

35.74 billion cu m (2012 est.)

Natural gas - production

80.78 billion cu m (2012 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves

1.23 trillion cu m (1 January 2013 es)

Refined petroleum products - consumption

1.01 million bbl/day (2011 est.)

Refined petroleum products - exports

2.138 million bbl/day (2010 est.)

Refined petroleum products - imports

2.079 million bbl/day (2010 est.)

Refined petroleum products - production

1.248 million bbl/day (2010 est.)

Broadcast media

more than 90% of households are connected to cable or satellite TV systems that provide a wide range of domestic and foreign channels; public service broadcast system includes multiple broadcasters, 3 with a national reach and the remainder operating in regional and local markets; 2 major nationwide commercial television companies, each with 3 or more stations, and many commercial TV stations in regional and local markets; nearly 600 radio stations with a mix of public and private stations providing national or regional coverage (2008)

Internet country code

.nl

Internet hosts

13.699 million (2012)

Internet users

14.872 million (2009)

Telephone system

highly developed and well maintained extensive fixed-line fiber-optic network; large cellular telephone system with 5 major operators utilizing the third generation of the Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) technology; one in five households now use Voice over the Internet Protocol (VoIP) services country code - 31; submarine cables provide links to the US and Europe; satellite earth stations - 5 (3 Intelsat - 1 Indian Ocean and 2 Atlantic Ocean, 1 Eutelsat, and 1 Inmarsat (2011)

domestic

extensive fixed-line fiber-optic network; large cellular telephone system with 5 major operators utilizing the third generation of the Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) technology; one in five households now use Voice over the Internet Protocol (VoIP) services

general assessment

highly developed and well maintained

international

country code - 31; submarine cables provide links to the US and Europe; satellite earth stations - 5 (3 Intelsat - 1 Indian Ocean and 2 Atlantic Ocean, 1 Eutelsat, and 1 Inmarsat (2011)

Telephones - main lines in use

7.086 million (2012)

Telephones - mobile cellular

19.643 million (2012)

Airports

29 (2013)

Airports - with paved runways

2 (2013)

1,524 to 2,437 m

1

2,438 to 3,047 m

11

914 to 1,523 m

6

over 3,047 m

3

total

23

under 914 m

2 (2013)

Airports - with unpaved runways

2 (2013)

914 to 1,523 m

4

total

6

Heliports

1 (2013)

Merchant marine

bulk carrier 4, cargo 514, carrier 15, chemical tanker 56, container 67, liquefied gas 21, passenger 17, passenger/cargo 14, petroleum tanker 4, refrigerated cargo 10, roll on/roll off 19, specialized tanker 3 196 (Australia 1, Bermuda 1, Denmark 27, Finland 13, France 2, Germany 86, Ireland 8, Italy 6, Japan 1, Norway 19, Sweden 12, UAE 4, US 16) 233 (Antigua and Barbuda 17, Bahamas 23, Belize 1, Canada 1, Curacao 43, Cyprus 23, Germany 1, Gibraltar 34, Italy 2, Liberia 31, Luxembourg 3, Malta 3, Marshall Islands 21, Panama 6, Paraguay 1, Philippines 17, Russia 2, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 1, Singapore 1, UK 1, unknown 1) (2010)

foreign-owned

196 (Australia 1, Bermuda 1, Denmark 27, Finland 13, France 2, Germany 86, Ireland 8, Italy 6, Japan 1, Norway 19, Sweden 12, UAE 4, US 16)

registered in other countries

233 (Antigua and Barbuda 17, Bahamas 23, Belize 1, Canada 1, Curacao 43, Cyprus 23, Germany 1, Gibraltar 34, Italy 2, Liberia 31, Luxembourg 3, Malta 3, Marshall Islands 21, Panama 6, Paraguay 1, Philippines 17, Russia 2, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 1, Singapore 1, UK 1, unknown 1) (2010)

total

744

Pipelines

condensate 81 km; gas 8,531 km; oil 578 km; refined products 716 km (2013)

Ports and terminals

Amsterdam, IJmuiden, Moerdijk, Rotterdam, Terneuzen, Vlissingen Rotterdam (11,876,920)

container ports

Rotterdam (11,876,920)

major ports

Amsterdam, IJmuiden, Moerdijk, Rotterdam, Terneuzen, Vlissingen

Railways

3,013 km 3,013 km 1.435-m gauge (2,195 km electrified) (2012)

total

3,013 km

Roadways

139,295 km (includes 2,758 km of expressways) (2012)

total

139,295 km (includes 2,758 km of expressways) (2012)

Waterways

6,237 km (navigable for ships of 50 tons) (2012)

Manpower available for military service

3,911,098 3,817,031 (2010 est.)

females age 16-49

3,817,031 (2010 est.)

males age 16-49

3,911,098

Manpower fit for military service

3,201,328 3,122,889 (2010 est.)

females age 16-49

3,122,889 (2010 est.)

males age 16-49

3,201,328

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually

103,462 98,383 (2010 est.)

female

98,383 (2010 est.)

male

103,462

Military branches

Royal Netherlands Army, Royal Netherlands Navy (includes Naval Air Service and Marine Corps), Royal Netherlands Air Force (Koninklijke Luchtmacht, KLu), Royal Military Police (2012)

Military expenditures

1.6% of GDP (2005 est.)

Military service age and obligation

17 years of age for an all-volunteer force (2012)

Disputes - international

none

Illicit drugs

major European producer of synthetic drugs, including ecstasy, and cannabis cultivator; important gateway for cocaine, heroin, and hashish entering Europe; major source of US-bound ecstasy; large financial sector vulnerable to money laundering; significant consumer of ecstasy

Refugees and internally displaced persons

18,255 (Iraq); 15,715 (Somalia); 5,697 (Afghanistan) (2012) 2,005 (2012)

refugees (country of origin)

18,255 (Iraq); 15,715 (Somalia); 5,697 (Afghanistan) (2012)

stateless persons

2,005 (2012)