2014 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

16.9% (male 1,460,234/female 1,393,766) 12.2% (male 1,046,323/female 1,006,114) 40.4% (male 3,423,777/female 3,399,378) 12.9% (male 1,088,860/female 1,094,574) 17.1% (male 1,331,258/female 1,633,067) (2014 est.)

0-14 years

16.9% (male 1,460,234/female 1,393,766)

15-24 years

12.2% (male 1,046,323/female 1,006,114)

25-54 years

40.4% (male 3,423,777/female 3,399,378)

55-64 years

12.9% (male 1,088,860/female 1,094,574)

65 years and over

17.1% (male 1,331,258/female 1,633,067) (2014 est.)

Birth rate

10.83 births/1,000 population (2014 est.)

Contraceptive prevalence rate

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

Death rate

8.57 deaths/1,000 population (2014 est.)

Dependency ratios

52.8 % 25.9 % 26.8 % 3.7 (2014 est.)

elderly dependency ratio

26.8 %

potential support ratio

3.7 (2014 est.)

total dependency ratio

52.8 %

youth dependency ratio

25.9 %

Drinking water source

urban: 100% of population rural: 100% of population total: 100% of population urban: 0% of population rural: 0% of population total: 0% of population (2012 est.)

rural

0% of population

total

0% of population (2012 est.)

urban

0% of population

Education expenditures

5.9% of GDP (2011)

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

3.66 deaths/1,000 live births 3.95 deaths/1,000 live births 3.35 deaths/1,000 live births (2014 est.)

female

3.35 deaths/1,000 live births (2014 est.)

total

3.66 deaths/1,000 live births

Languages

Dutch (official) Frisian, Low Saxon, and Limburgish are recognized as regional languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages

Life expectancy at birth

81.12 years 79.02 years 83.34 years (2014 est.)

female

83.34 years (2014 est.)

total population

81.12 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) 1.056 million; Rotterdam 1.014 million; The Hague (seat of government) 635,000 (2011)

Maternal mortality rate

6 deaths/100,000 live births (2010)

Median age

42.1 years 41.2 years 42.9 years (2014 est.)

female

42.9 years (2014 est.)

male

41.2 years

total

42.1 years

Mother's mean age at first birth

29.4 (2011 est.)

Nationality

Dutchman(men), Dutchwoman(women) Dutch

adjective

Dutch

noun

Dutchman(men), Dutchwoman(women)

Net migration rate

1.97 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2014 est.)

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

18.8% (2008)

Physicians density

3.92 physicians/1,000 population (2007)

Population

16,877,351 (July 2014 est.)

Population growth rate

0.42% (2014 est.)

Religions

Roman Catholic 28%, Protestant 19% (includes Dutch Reformed 9%, Protestant Church of The Netherlands, 7%, Calvinist 3%), other 11% (includes about 5% Muslim and lesser numbers of Hindu, Buddhist, Jehovah's Witness, and Orthodox), none 42% (2009 est.)

Sanitation facility access

urban: 100% of population rural: 100% of population total: 100% of population urban: 0% of population rural: 0% of population total: 0% of population (2012 est.)

rural

0% of population

total

0% of population (2012 est.)

urban

0% of population

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

18 years 18 years 18 years (2011)

female

18 years (2011)

male

18 years

total

18 years

Sex ratio

1.05 male(s)/female 1.05 male(s)/female 1.04 male(s)/female 1.01 male(s)/female 0.98 male(s)/female 0.8 male(s)/female 0.98 male(s)/female (2014 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

0.98 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 (2014 est.)

Total fertility rate

1.78 children born/woman (2014 est.)

Unemployment, youth ages 15-24

9.5% 8.9% 10% (2012)

female

10% (2012)

total

9.5%

Urbanization

83.2% of total population (2011) 0.74% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

rate of urbanization

0.74% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

urban population

83.2% of total population (2011)

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; note - The Hague is the seat of government 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 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; note - The Hague is the seat of government

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 Timothy BROAS (since 19 March 2014) 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 Timothy BROAS (since 19 March 2014)

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 as 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 advice 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 as 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, MINUSMA, NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OPCW, OSCE, Pacific Alliance (observer), 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 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 May 2017) 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 May 2017)

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

King's Day (for 2014, the holiday will be on 26 April; thereafter it will fall on the King's Birthday of 27 April (1967))

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 [Mark RUTTE] Reformed Political Party or SGP [Kees VAN DER STAAIJ] Socialist Party or 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

$315.5 billion $339.3 billion (2014 est.)

expenditures

$339.3 billion (2014 est.)

revenues

$315.5 billion

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

-3.3% of GDP (2014 est.)

Central bank discount rate

0.75% (31 December 2013) 1.5% (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

2.3% (31 December 2013 est.) 2.65% (31 December 2012 est.)

Current account balance

$65.87 billion (2013 est.) $51.54 billion (2012 est.)

Debt - external

$2.347 trillion (31 December 2013 est.) $2.434 trillion (31 December 2012 est.)

Distribution of family income - Gini index

30.9 (2007) 32.6 (1994)

Economy - overview

Netherlands is the sixth-largest economy in the euro-zone and is noted for its stable industrial relations, moderate unemployment and inflation, sizable trade surplus, and 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. Netherlands, along with 11 of its EU partners, began circulating the euro currency on 1 January 2002. The Dutch financial sector suffered as a result of the global financial crisis, due in part to the high exposure of some Dutch banks to US 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. 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. To recover, the government 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 austerity measures in early 2011, mainly reducting expenditures, which resulted in an improved budget deficit in 2011. However, in 2012 tax revenues dropped, GDP contracted, and the budget deficit deteriorated. In 2013, the government budget deficit decreased to 3.3% of GDP due to increased government revenue from higher taxes. However, spending on social benefits also increased, due to a rise in unemployment benefits and payments for pensions. The high unemployment rate and tax increases have contributed to continued decreases in household disposable income, causing the Dutch economy to contract.

Exchange rates

euros (EUR) per US dollar - 0.7634 (2013 est.) 0.7752 (2012 est.) 0.755 (2010 est.) 0.7198 (2009 est.) 0.6827 (2008 est.)

Exports

$576.9 billion (2013 est.) $550 billion (2012 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

45.3% 27.7% 15.7% 0.4% 86% -75.2% (2013 est.)

exports of goods and services

86%

government consumption

27.7%

household consumption

45.3%

imports of goods and services

-75.2%

investment in fixed capital

15.7%

investment in inventories

0.4%

GDP - composition, by sector of origin

2.6% 25.4% 72.1% (2013 est.)

agriculture

2.6%

industry

25.4%

services

72.1% (2013 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$43,300 (2012 est.) $43,200 (2011 est.) $41,600 (2010 est.) data are in 2012 US dollars

GDP - real growth rate

-0.8% (2013 est.) -1.2% (2012 est.) 0.9% (2011 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$722.3 billion (2013 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$699.7 billion (2013 est.) $705.3 billion (2012 est.) $714.2 billion (2011 est.) data are in 2013 US dollars

Gross national saving

26.2% of GDP (2013 est.) 27.5% of GDP (2012 est.) 28.3% of GDP (2011 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

2.1% 24.5% (2012 est.)

highest 10%

24.5% (2012 est.)

lowest 10%

2.1%

Imports

$511 billion (2013 est.) $498.5 billion (2012 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

0.5% (2013 est.)

Industries

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

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

2.5% (2013 est.) 2.5% (2012 est.)

Labor force

7.939 million (2013 est.)

Labor force - by occupation

2.3% 18.8% 78.9% (2011 est.)

agriculture

2.3%

industry

18.8%

services

78.9% (2011 est.)

Market value of publicly traded shares

$675 billion (31 December 2013 est.) $651 billion (31 December 2012) $594.7 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Population below poverty line

9.1% (2013 est.)

Public debt

74.3% of GDP (2013 est.) 71.3% of GDP (2012 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

$71.95 billion (31 December 2013 est.) $54.82 billion (31 December 2012 est.)

Stock of broad money

$1.169 trillion (31 December 2013 est.) $1.136 trillion (31 December 2012 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad

$1.034 trillion (31 December 2013 est.) $961.4 billion (31 December 2012 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - at home

$646.4 billion (31 December 2013 est.) $605.7 billion (31 December 2012 est.)

Stock of domestic credit

$1.736 trillion (31 December 2013 est.) $1.7 trillion (31 December 2012 est.)

Stock of narrow money

$401.1 billion (31 December 2013 est.) $389.9 billion (31 December 2012 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

43.7% of GDP (2014 est.)

Unemployment rate

8.3% (2013 est.) 6.4% (2012 est.)

Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy

58.1 million Mt (2012 est.)

Crude oil - exports

35,500 bbl/day (2013 est.)

Crude oil - imports

1.202 million bbl/day (2012 est.)

Crude oil - production

29,400 bbl/day (2013 est.)

Crude oil - proved reserves

352 million bbl (1 January 2013 est.)

Electricity - consumption

116.8 billion kWh (2013 est.)

Electricity - exports

15.02 billion kWh (2013 est.)

Electricity - from fossil fuels

85.1% of total installed capacity (2012 est.)

Electricity - from hydroelectric plants

0.1% of total installed capacity (2012 est.)

Electricity - from nuclear fuels

1.6% of total installed capacity (2012 est.)

Electricity - from other renewable sources

13.2% of total installed capacity (2012 est.)

Electricity - imports

33.25 billion kWh (2013 est.)

Electricity - installed generating capacity

29.92 million kW (2012)

Electricity - production

98.57 billion kWh (2013 est.)

Natural gas - consumption

44.11 billion cu m (2013 est.)

Natural gas - exports

63.42 billion cu m (2013 est.)

Natural gas - imports

24.65 billion cu m (2013 est.)

Natural gas - production

81.52 billion cu m (2013 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves

1.09 trillion cu m (1 January 2013 est.)

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

IJmuiden, Vlissingen Amsterdam (Nordsee Kanaal); Moerdijk (Hollands Diep River); Rotterdam (Rhine River); Terneuzen (Western Scheldt River) Rotterdam (11,876,920)

container port(s) (TEUs)

Rotterdam (11,876,920)

major seaport(s)

IJmuiden, Vlissingen

river port(s)

Amsterdam (Nordsee Kanaal); Moerdijk (Hollands Diep River); Rotterdam (Rhine River); Terneuzen (Western Scheldt River)

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

3,734,610 3,687,940 (2014 est.)

females age 16-49

3,687,940 (2014 est.)

males age 16-49

3,734,610

Manpower fit for military service

3,479,509 3,435,564 (2014 est.)

females age 16-49

3,435,564 (2014 est.)

males age 16-49

3,479,509

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually

100,446 94,750 (2014 est.)

female

94,750 (2014 est.)

male

100,446

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

1.27% of GDP (2012) 1.35% of GDP (2011) 1.27% of GDP (2010)

Military service age and obligation

17 years of age for an all-volunteer force (2014)

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

18,799 (Somalia); 15,533 (Iraq); 6,269 (Afghanistan) (2013) 2,005 (2012)

refugees (country of origin)

18,799 (Somalia); 15,533 (Iraq); 6,269 (Afghanistan) (2013)

stateless persons

2,005 (2012)