2016 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 German invasion and occupation 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

land

33,893 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

30 m lowest point: Zuidplaspolder -7 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) the highest point on continental Netherlands is Vaalserberg at 322 m

elevation extremes

lowest point: Zuidplaspolder -7 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)

mean elevation

30 m

note

the highest point on continental Netherlands is Vaalserberg at 322 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

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

4,860 sq km (2012)

Land boundaries

1,053 km Belgium 478 km, Germany 575 km

border countries (2)

Belgium 478 km, Germany 575 km

total

1,053 km

Land use

55.1% arable land 29.8%; permanent crops 1.1%; permanent pasture 24.2% 10.8% 34.1% (2011 est.)

agricultural land

55.1%

forest

10.8%

other

34.1% (2011 est.)

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

Population - distribution

an area known as the Randstad, anchored by the cities of Amsterdam, Rotterdam, the Hague, and Utrecht, is the most densely populated region; the north tends to be less dense, though sizeable communities can be found throughout the entire country

Terrain

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

Age structure

16.56% (male 1,442,059/female 1,375,479) 12.11% (male 1,050,889/female 1,010,596) 39.83% (male 3,400,998/female 3,377,311) 13.14% (male 1,113,587/female 1,123,165) 18.35% (male 1,411,830/female 1,711,053) (2016 est.)

0-14 years

16.56% (male 1,442,059/female 1,375,479)

15-24 years

12.11% (male 1,050,889/female 1,010,596)

25-54 years

39.83% (male 3,400,998/female 3,377,311)

55-64 years

13.14% (male 1,113,587/female 1,123,165)

65 years and over

18.35% (male 1,411,830/female 1,711,053) (2016 est.)

Birth rate

10.9 births/1,000 population (2016 est.)

Contraceptive prevalence rate

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

note

percent of women aged 18-45 (2008)

Death rate

8.8 deaths/1,000 population (2016 est.)

Dependency ratios

53.3% 25.3% 27.9% 3.6% (2015 est.)

elderly dependency ratio

27.9%

potential support ratio

3.6% (2015 est.)

total dependency ratio

53.3%

youth dependency ratio

25.3%

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 (2015 est.)

rural

0% of population

total

0% of population (2015 est.)

urban

0% of population

Education expenditures

5.6% of GDP (2013)

Ethnic groups

Dutch 78.6%, EU 5.8%, Turkish 2.4%, Indonesian 2.2%, Moroccan 2.2%, Surinamese 2.1%, Bonairian, Saba Islander, Sint Eustatian 0.8%, other 5.9% (2014 est.)

Health expenditures

10.9% of GDP (2014)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

NA

HIV/AIDS - deaths

NA

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

NA

Hospital bed density

4.7 beds/1,000 population (2009)

Infant mortality rate

3.6 deaths/1,000 live births 3.9 deaths/1,000 live births 3.3 deaths/1,000 live births (2016 est.)

female

3.3 deaths/1,000 live births (2016 est.)

male

3.9 deaths/1,000 live births

total

3.6 deaths/1,000 live births

Languages

Dutch (official) Frisian is an official language in Fryslan province; Frisian, Low Saxon, Limburgish, Romani, and Yiddish have protected status under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages; Dutch is the official language of the three special municipalities of the Caribbean Netherlands, while English is a recognized regional language on Sint Eustatius and Saba and Papiamento is a recognized regional language on Bonaire

note

Frisian is an official language in Fryslan province; Frisian, Low Saxon, Limburgish, Romani, and Yiddish have protected status under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages; Dutch is the official language of the three special municipalities of the Caribbean Netherlands, while English is a recognized regional language on Sint Eustatius and Saba and Papiamento is a recognized regional language on Bonaire

Life expectancy at birth

81.3 years 79.2 years 83.6 years (2016 est.)

female

83.6 years (2016 est.)

male

79.2 years

total population

81.3 years

Major urban areas - population

AMSTERDAM (capital) 1.091 million; Rotterdam 993,000; The Hague (seat of government) 650,000 (2015)

Maternal mortality rate

7 deaths/100,000 live births (2015 est.)

Median age

42.5 years 41.4 years 43.4 years (2016 est.)

female

43.4 years (2016 est.)

male

41.4 years

total

42.5 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

1.9 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2016 est.)

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

21.9% (2014)

Population

17,016,967 (July 2016 est.)

Population distribution

an area known as the Randstad, anchored by the cities of Amsterdam, Rotterdam, the Hague, and Utrecht, is the most densely populated region; the north tends to be less dense, though sizeable communities can be found throughout the entire country

Population growth rate

0.4% (2016 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 fewer numbers of Hindu, Buddhist, Jehovah's Witness, and Orthodox), none 42% (2009 est.)

Sanitation facility access

urban: 97.5% of population rural: 99.9% of population total: 97.7% of population urban: 2.5% of population rural: 0.1% of population total: 2.3% of population (2015 est.)

rural

0.1% of population

total

2.3% of population (2015 est.)

urban

2.5% of population

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

18 years 18 years 18 years (2012)

female

18 years (2012)

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 0.99 male(s)/female 0.82 male(s)/female 0.98 male(s)/female (2016 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

0.99 male(s)/female

65 years and over

0.82 male(s)/female

at birth

1.05 male(s)/female

total population

0.98 male(s)/female (2016 est.)

Total fertility rate

1.78 children born/woman (2016 est.)

Unemployment, youth ages 15-24

10.5% 9.7% 11.3% (2014 est.)

female

11.3% (2014 est.)

male

9.7%

total

10.5%

Urbanization

90.5% of total population (2015) 1.05% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

rate of urbanization

1.05% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

urban population

90.5% of total population (2015)

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) the Netherlands is one of four constituent parts (countries) of the Kingdom of the Netherlands; the other three parts, Aruba, Curacao, and Sint Maarten, are all islands in the Caribbean; while all four parts are considered equal partners, in practice, most of the Kingdom's affairs are administered by the Netherlands, which makes up about 98% of the Kingdom's total land area and population three other Caribbean islands, Bonaire, Saint Eustatius, and Saba, are considered to be special municipalities of the Netherlands proper

note 1

the Netherlands is one of four constituent parts (countries) of the Kingdom of the Netherlands; the other three parts, Aruba, Curacao, and Sint Maarten, are all islands in the Caribbean; while all four parts are considered equal partners, in practice, most of the Kingdom's affairs are administered by the Netherlands, which makes up about 98% of the Kingdom's total land area and population

note 2

three other Caribbean islands, Bonaire, Saint Eustatius, and Saba, are considered to be special municipalities of the Netherlands proper

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

note

time descriptions apply to the continental Netherlands only, not to the Caribbean components

time difference

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

Citizenship

no at least one parent must be a citizen of the Netherlands no 5 years

citizenship by birth

no

citizenship by descent only

at least one parent must be a citizen of the Netherlands

dual citizenship recognized

no

residency requirement for naturalization

5 years

Constitution

previous 1597, 1798; latest adopted 24 August 1815 (substantially revised in 1848); amended many times, last in 2010 (2016)

Country name

Kingdom of the Netherlands Netherlands Koninkrijk der Nederlanden Nederland the country name literally means "the lowlands" and refers to the geographic features of the land being both flat and down river from higher areas (i.e., at the estuaries of the Scheldt, Meuse, and Rhine Rivers; only about half of the Netherlands is more than 1 meter above sea level)

conventional long form

Kingdom of the Netherlands

conventional short form

Netherlands

etymology

the country name literally means "the lowlands" and refers to the geographic features of the land being both flat and down river from higher areas (i.e., at the estuaries of the Scheldt, Meuse, and Rhine Rivers; only about half of the Netherlands is more than 1 meter above sea level)

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 H. STERLING (since 12 February 2016) 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 H. STERLING (since 12 February 2016)

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 Hendrik SCHUWER (since 17 September 2015) 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

chancery

4200 Linnean Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008

chief of mission

Ambassador Hendrik SCHUWER (since 17 September 2015)

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); Heir Apparent Princess Catharina-Amalia (since 30 April 2013) Prime Minister Mark RUTTE (since 14 October 2010); Deputy Prime Minister Lodewijk ASSCHER (since 5 November 2012); note - Mark RUTTE heads his second cabinet since 5 November 2012 Council of Ministers appointed by the monarch; note -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 the monarchy is hereditary; following Second Chamber elections, the leader of the majority party or majority coalition usually appointed prime minister by the monarch; deputy prime ministers appointed by the monarch

cabinet

Council of Ministers appointed by the monarch; note -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

chief of state

King WILLEM-ALEXANDER (since 30 April 2013); Heir Apparent Princess Catharina-Amalia (since 30 April 2013)

elections/appointments

the monarchy is hereditary; following Second Chamber elections, the leader of the majority party or 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 heads his second cabinet since 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

parliamentary constitutional monarchy; part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands

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), ICCt, 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, UNCTAD, UNDOF, 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 council members by proportional representation vote; members serve 4-year terms) and the Second Chamber or Tweede Kamer (150 seats; members directly elected in multi-seat constituencies by proportional representation vote to serve up to 4-year terms) First Chamber - last held on 26 May 2015 (next to be held in May 2019); Second Chamber - last held on 12 September 2012 (next to be held no later than 15 March 2017) First Chamber - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - VVD 13, CDA 12, D66 10, PVV 9, SP 9, PvdA 8, GL 4, CU 3, other 7; 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 2.3%, other 6.9%; seats by party - VVD 41, PvdA 38, PVV 15, SP 15, CDA 13, D66 12, CU 5, GL 4, other 7

description

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 council members by proportional representation vote; members serve 4-year terms) and the Second Chamber or Tweede Kamer (150 seats; members directly elected in multi-seat constituencies by proportional representation vote to serve up to 4-year terms)

election results

First Chamber - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - VVD 13, CDA 12, D66 10, PVV 9, SP 9, PvdA 8, GL 4, CU 3, other 7; 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 2.3%, other 6.9%; 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 26 May 2015 (next to be held in May 2019); Second Chamber - last held on 12 September 2012 (next to be held no later than 15 March 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)

note

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

National holiday

King's Day (the King's birthday of 27 April (1967); celebrated on 26 April if 27 April is a Sunday)

National symbol(s)

lion, tulip; national color: orange

lion, tulip; national color

orange

Political parties and leaders

Christian Democratic Appeal or CDA [Sybrand VAN HAERSMA BUMA] Christian Union or CU [Gert-Jan SEGERS] Democrats 66 or D66 [Alexander PECHTOLD] 50 Plus [Jan NAGEL] Green Left or GL [Jesse KLAVER] 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 [Maurice LIMMEN] Confederation of Netherlands Industry and Employers or VNO-NCW [Hans DE BOER] Federation for Small and Medium-sized Businesses or MKB [Michael VAN STRAALEN] Netherlands Trade Union Federation or FNV [Ton HEERTS] Social Economic Council or SER [Mariette HAMER] 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

$324 billion $337.8 billion (2015 est.)

expenditures

$337.8 billion (2015 est.)

revenues

$324 billion

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

-1.9% of GDP (2015 est.)

Central bank discount rate

0.05% (31 December 2013) 0.3% (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

note

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

1.85% (31 December 2015 est.) 2.27% (31 December 2014 est.)

Current account balance

$80.99 billion (2015 est.) $93.4 billion (2014 est.)

Debt - external

$4.154 trillion (31 December 2014 est.) $4.524 trillion (31 December 2013 est.)

Distribution of family income - Gini index

25.1 (2013 est.) 32.6 (1994 est.)

Economy - overview

The Netherlands, the sixth-largest economy in the European Union, plays an important role as a European transportation hub, with a persistently high trade surplus, stable industrial relations, and moderate unemployment. Industry focuses on 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 food-processing and underpins the country’s status as the world’s second largest agricultural exporter. The Netherlands is part of the euro zone, and as such, its monetary policy is controlled by the European Central Bank. The Dutch financial sector is highly concentrated, with four commercial banks possessing over 90% of banking assets. The sector suffered as a result of the global financial crisis and required billions of dollars of government support, but the European Banking Authority completed stringent reviews in 2014 and deemed Dutch banks to be well-capitalized. To address the 2009 and 2010 economic downturns, the government sought to stimulate the domestic economy by accelerating infrastructure programs, offering corporate tax breaks for employers to retain workers, and expanding export credits. 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 has since implemented significant austerity measures to improve public finances and has instituted broad structural reforms in key policy areas, including the labor market, the housing sector, the energy market, and the pension system. As a result, the government budget deficit at the end of 2015 dropped to 2% of GDP. Following a protracted recession during which unemployment doubled to 7.4% and household consumption contracted for nearly three consecutive years, 2014 saw fragile GDP growth of 1% and a rise in most economic indicators. Growth picked up in 2015 as households boosted purchases through reduced saving. Drivers of growth included increased exports and business investments, as well as newly invigorated household consumption.

Exchange rates

euros (EUR) per US dollar - 0.885 (2015 est.) 0.7525 (2014 est.) 0.7634 (2013 est.) 0.78 (2012 est.) 0.7185 (2011 est.)

Exports

$476.5 billion (2015 est.) $574.7 billion (2014 est.)

Exports - commodities

machinery and equipment, chemicals, fuels; foodstuffs

Exports - partners

Germany 24.5%, Belgium 11.1%, UK 9.3%, France 8.4%, Italy 4.2% (2015)

Fiscal year

calendar year

GDP - composition, by end use

44.6% 25.3% 19.4% -0.1% 82.5% -71.7% (2015 est.)

exports of goods and services

82.5%

government consumption

25.3%

household consumption

44.6%

imports of goods and services

-71.7% (2015 est.)

investment in fixed capital

19.4%

investment in inventories

-0.1%

GDP - composition, by sector of origin

1.6% 18% 70.2% (2015 est.)

agriculture

1.6%

industry

18%

services

70.2% (2015 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$49,200 (2015 est.) $48,400 (2014 est.) $48,100 (2013 est.) data are in 2012 US dollars

note

data are in 2012 US dollars

GDP - real growth rate

1.9% (2015 est.) 1% (2014 est.) -0.5% (2013 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$738.4 billion (2015 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$832.6 billion (2015 est.) $816.9 billion (2014 est.) $808.7 billion (2013 est.) data are in 2015 US dollars

note

data are in 2015 US dollars

Gross national saving

28.4% of GDP (2015 est.) 28% of GDP (2014 est.) 28.3% of GDP (2013 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

$389.6 billion (2015 est.) $469.4 billion (2014 est.)

Imports - commodities

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

Imports - partners

Germany 14.7%, China 14.5%, Belgium 8.2%, US 8.1%, UK 5.1% (2015)

Industrial production growth rate

0.5% (2015 est.)

Industries

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

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

0.2% (2015 est.) 0.3% (2014 est.)

Labor force

7.895 million (2015 est.)

Labor force - by occupation

1.8% 17% 81.2% (2013 est.)

agriculture

1.8%

industry

17%

services

81.2% (2013 est.)

Market value of publicly traded shares

$671.7 billion (31 December 2015 est.) $698.6 billion (31 December 2014 est.) $578.9 billion (31 December 2013 est.)

Population below poverty line

9.1% (2013 est.)

Public debt

65.3% of GDP (2015 est.) 68.2% of GDP (2014 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

note

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

$38.21 billion (31 December 2015 est.) $42.92 billion (31 December 2014 est.)

Stock of broad money

$1.119 trillion (31 December 2014 est.) $1.158 trillion (31 December 2013 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad

$1.102 trillion (31 December 2015 est.) $1.046 trillion (31 December 2014 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - at home

$739.9 billion (31 December 2015 est.) $671.2 billion (31 December 2014 est.)

Stock of domestic credit

$1.619 trillion (31 December 2015 est.) $1.855 trillion (31 December 2014 est.)

Stock of narrow money

$405.7 billion (31 December 2015 est.) $435 billion (31 December 2014 est.) see entry for the European Union for money supply for the entire euro area; the European Central Bank (ECB) controls monetary policy for the 18 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

note

see entry for the European Union for money supply for the entire euro area; the European Central Bank (ECB) controls monetary policy for the 18 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

43.9% of GDP (2015 est.)

Unemployment rate

6.9% (2015 est.) 7.4% (2014 est.)

Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy

233 million Mt (2013 est.)

Crude oil - exports

13,530 bbl/day (2015 est.)

Crude oil - imports

1.255 million bbl/day (2015 est.)

Crude oil - production

27,300 bbl/day (2015 est.)

Crude oil - proved reserves

144.7 million bbl (1 January 2016 es)

Electricity - consumption

108 billion kWh (2014 est.)

Electricity - exports

18 billion kWh (2014 est.)

Electricity - from fossil fuels

83.7% 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

14.5% of total installed capacity (2012 est.)

Electricity - imports

33 billion kWh (2014 est.)

Electricity - installed generating capacity

32 million kW (2014 est.)

Electricity - production

98 billion kWh (2014 est.)

Electricity access

100% (2016)

electrification - total population

100% (2016)

Natural gas - consumption

40.26 billion cu m (2014 est.)

Natural gas - exports

58.75 billion cu m (2014 est.)

Natural gas - imports

29.12 billion cu m (2014 est.)

Natural gas - production

70.28 billion cu m the Netherlands has curbed gas production due to seismic activity in the province of Groningen, largest source of gas reserves (2014 est.)

note

the Netherlands has curbed gas production due to seismic activity in the province of Groningen, largest source of gas reserves (2014 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves

760.9 billion cu m (1 January 2016 es)

Refined petroleum products - consumption

945,500 bbl/day (2015 est.)

Refined petroleum products - exports

2.257 million bbl/day (2015 est.)

Refined petroleum products - imports

1.883 million bbl/day (2015 est.)

Refined petroleum products - production

1.278 million bbl/day (2015 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 users

15.778 million 93.1% (July 2015 est.)

percent of population

93.1% (July 2015 est.)

total

15.778 million

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 technology; one in five households now use Voice over the Internet Protocol 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 technology; one in five households now use Voice over the Internet Protocol 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 - fixed lines

6,951,528 41 (July 2015 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

41 (July 2015 est.)

total subscriptions

6,951,528

Telephones - mobile cellular

20.809 million 123 (July 2015 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

123 (July 2015 est.)

total

20.809 million

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

under 914 m

2 (2013)

Civil aircraft registration country code prefix

PH (2016)

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)

by type

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

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

National air transport system

34,870,204 5,292,794,685 mt-km (2015)

annual freight traffic on registered air carriers

5,292,794,685 mt-km (2015)

annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers

34,870,204

inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers

244

number of registered air carriers

8

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) Rotterdam

container port(s) (TEUs)

Rotterdam (11,876,920)

LNG terminal(s) (import)

Rotterdam

major seaport(s)

IJmuiden, Vlissingen

river port(s)

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

Railways

3,223 km 3,223 km 1.435-m gauge (2,321 km electrified) (2014)

standard gauge

3,223 km 1.435-m gauge (2,321 km electrified) (2014)

total

3,223 km

Roadways

138,641 km (includes 3,530 km of expressways) (2014)

total

138,641 km (includes 3,530 km of expressways) (2014)

Waterways

6,237 km (navigable by ships up to 50 tons) (2012)

Military branches

Royal Netherlands Army, Royal Netherlands Navy (includes Naval Air Service and Marine Corps), Royal Netherlands Air Force (Koninklijke Luchtmacht, KLu), Royal Marechaussee (Military Police) (2015)

Military expenditures

1.15% of GDP (2014) 1.16% of GDP (2013) 1.23% of GDP (2012) 1.26% of GDP (2011) 1.34% 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 and a significant consumer of ecstasy; a large financial sector vulnerable to money laundering

Refugees and internally displaced persons

17,444 (Somalia); 16,184 (Syria); 12,397 (Iraq); 10,870 (Eritrea); 5,803 (Afghanistan) (2015) 1,951 (2015)

refugees (country of origin)

17,444 (Somalia); 16,184 (Syria); 12,397 (Iraq); 10,870 (Eritrea); 5,803 (Afghanistan) (2015)

stateless persons

1,951 (2015)