Netherlands - NL - NLD - NED - Europe

chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Chargé d’Affaires Marcus MICHELI (since January 2025)

embassy: John Adams Park 1, 2244 BZ Wassenaar

mailing address: 5780 Amsterdam Place, Washington DC  20521-5780

telephone: [31] (70) 310-2209

FAX: [31] (70) 310-2207

email address and website:
AmsterdamUSC@state.gov

https://nl.usembassy.gov/

consulate(s) general: Amsterdam

0-14 years: 15.2% (male 1,384,142/female 1,312,455)

15-64 years: 64.1% (male 5,750,034/female 5,640,691)

65 years and over: 20.7% (2024 est.) (male 1,709,924/female 1,975,132)

52 31 N, 5 46 E

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female

0-14 years: 1.05 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.87 male(s)/female

total population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2024 est.)

flooding

volcanism: Mount Scenery (887 m), located on the island of Saba in the Caribbean, last erupted in 1640; Round Hill (601 m), a dormant volcano also known as The Quill, is located on the island of St. Eustatius in the Caribbean; these islands are at the northern end of the volcanic island arc of the Lesser Antilles that extends south to Grenada

slightly less than twice the size of New Jersey

17 years of age for voluntary service for men and women; the military is an all-volunteer force; conscription remains in place, but the requirement to show up for compulsory military service was suspended in 1997; must be a citizen of the Netherlands (2024)

note: in 2023, women made up about 14% of the military's full-time personnel

The Dutch United Provinces declared their independence from Spain in 1581; during the 17th century, they became a leading seafaring and commercial power, with settlements and colonies around the world. After 18 years of French domination, the Netherlands regained its independence in 1813. 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 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.

In 2018, the Sint Eustatius island council (governing body) was dissolved and replaced by a government commissioner to restore the integrity of public administration. According to the Dutch Government, the intervention will be as "short as possible and as long as needed."

water and air pollution are significant environmental problems; pollution of the country's rivers from industrial and agricultural chemicals, including heavy metals, organic compounds, nitrates, and phosphates; air pollution from vehicles and refining activities

party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Heavy Metals, Air Pollution-Multi-effect Protocol, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulphur 85, Air Pollution-Sulphur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Antarctic-Environmental Protection, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping-London Convention, Marine Dumping-London Protocol, Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 2006, Wetlands, Whaling

signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

2.1% of GDP (2024 est.)
1.6% of GDP (2023)
1.5% of GDP (2022)
1.4% of GDP (2021)
1.4% of GDP (2020)

14.5% (2021 est.)

note: % of population with income below national poverty line

lowest 10%: 3.6% (2021 est.)

highest 10%: 21.4% (2021 est.)

note: % share of income accruing to lowest and highest 10% of population

refined petroleum, vaccines, machinery, crude petroleum, broadcasting equipment (2023)

note: top five export commodities based on value in dollars

Germany 16%, Belgium 15%, France 11%, Italy 6%, USA 6% (2023)

note: top five export partners based on percentage share of exports

12 provinces (provincies, singular - provincie), 3 public entities* (openbare lichamen, singular - openbaar lichaam (Dutch); entidatnan publiko, singular - entidat publiko (Papiamento)); Bonaire*, Drenthe, Flevoland, Fryslan (Friesland), Gelderland, Groningen, Limburg, Noord-Brabant (North Brabant), Noord-Holland (North Holland), Overijssel, Saba*, Sint Eustatius*, Utrecht, Zeeland (Zealand), Zuid-Holland (South Holland)

note 1: the Netherlands is one of four constituent countries of the Kingdom of the Netherlands; the other three, 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: although Bonaire, Saba, and Sint Eustatius are officially incorporated into the country of the Netherlands under the broad designation of "public entities," Dutch Government sources regularly apply to them the more descriptive term of "special municipalities"; Bonaire, Saba, and Sint Eustatius are collectively referred to as the Caribbean Netherlands

milk, sugar beets, potatoes, onions, pork, wheat, chicken, tomatoes, carrots/turnips, beef (2023)

note: top ten agricultural products based on tonnage

Netherlands (Dutch) Armed Forces (Nederlandse Krijgsmacht): Royal Netherlands Army, Royal Netherlands Navy (includes Marine Corps), Royal Netherlands Air Force, Royal Netherlands Marechaussee (Military Constabulary) (2025)

note 1: the Netherlands Coast Guard and the Dutch Caribbean Coast Guard are civilian in nature but managed by the Royal Netherlands Navy

note 2: the core missions of the Royal Netherlands Marechaussee are border security, security and surveillance, and international and military police tasks; it has 21 brigades based in eight Dutch provinces, plus Curaçao in the Caribbean, a special missions security brigade, and separate security platoons to guard and protect domestic sites that are most likely to be the targets of attacks, such as government buildings

note 3: the Netherlands (or National) Police maintain internal security and report to the Ministry of Justice and Security, which oversees law enforcement organizations, as do the justice ministries in Aruba, Curacao, and Sint Maarten

revenues: $399.616 billion (2022 est.)

expenditures: $398.696 billion (2022 est.)

note: central government revenues (excluding grants) and expenses converted to US dollars at average official exchange rate for year indicated

name: Amsterdam; note - The Hague is the seat of government

geographic coordinates: 52 21 N, 4 55 E

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

daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October

time zone note: time descriptions apply to the continental Netherlands only, for the constituent countries in the Caribbean, the time difference is UTC-4

etymology: the original Dutch name, Amstellerdam, meaning "a dam on the Amstel River," dates to the 13th century; over time the name simplified to Amsterdam

crude petroleum, refined petroleum, broadcasting equipment, cars, natural gas (2023)

note: top five import commodities based on value in dollars

temperate; marine; cool summers and mild winters

451 km

history: many previous to adoption of the "Basic Law of the Kingdom of the Netherlands" on 24 August 1815; revised 8 times, the latest in 1983

amendment process: proposed as an Act of Parliament by or on behalf of the king or by the Second Chamber of the States General; the Second Chamber is dissolved after its first reading of the Act; passage requires a second reading by both the First Chamber and the newly elected Second Chamber, followed by at least two-thirds majority vote of both chambers, and ratification by the king

euros (EUR) per US dollar -

Exchange rates:
0.925 (2023 est.)
0.95 (2022 est.)
0.845 (2021 est.)
0.876 (2020 est.)
0.893 (2019 est.)

chief of state: King WILLEM-ALEXANDER (since 30 April 2013)

head of government: Prime Minister Dick SCHOOF (since 2 July 2024)

cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the monarch

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

three equal horizontal bands of red (bright vermilion; top), white, and blue (cobalt); similar to the flag of Luxembourg, which uses a lighter blue and is longer; the colors were derived from 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 its dye tended to turn red over time, the red shade was eventually made the permanent color; the banner is perhaps the oldest tricolor in continuous use

total: 139,027 km (2022)

a major transit hub for illicit substances, especially cocaine from South and Central America and methamphetamine from Mexico; homegrown synthetic drug makers and illegal chemical precursor manufacturers selling dangerous drugs, including synthetic opioids, via the internet to customers in the United States and worldwide

 

26 July 1581 (the northern provinces of the Low Countries 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)

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

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

highest court(s): Supreme Court or Hoge Raad (consists of 41 judges: the president, 6 vice presidents, 31 justices, and 3 justices in exceptional service); 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 House of Representatives 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; Netherlands Commercial Court

total: 1,053 km

border countries (2): Belgium 478 km; Germany 575 km

agricultural land: 53.6% (2022 est.)

arable land: 29.8% (2022 est.)

permanent crops: 1.1% (2022 est.)

permanent pasture: 22.7% (2022 est.)

forest: 11% (2022 est.)

other: 35.4% (2022 est.)

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

legislature name: States General (Staten-Generaal)

legislative structure: bicameral

territorial sea: 12 nm

contiguous zone: 24 nm

exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm

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, NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OPCW, OSCE, Pacific Alliance (observer), Paris Club, PCA, Schengen Convention, SELEC (observer), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNHRC, UNIDO, UNMISS, UNOOSA, UNRWA, UN Security Council (temporary), UNTSO, UNWTO, UPU, Wassenaar Arrangement, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC

King's Day (birthday of King WILLEM-ALEXANDER), 27 April (1967); note - King's or Queen's Day is observed on the ruling monarch's birthday; currently celebrated on 26 April if 27 April is a Sunday

noun: Dutchman(men), Dutchwoman(women)

adjective: Dutch

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

located at mouths of three major European rivers (Rhine (Rijn), Meuse (Maas), and Scheldt (Schelde)); about a quarter of the country lies below sea level and only about half of the land exceeds one meter above sea level

high-income, core EU- and eurozone-member economy; trade-oriented with strong services, logistics, and high tech sectors; exiting mild recession triggered by inflation and weak export demand; tight labor market; low deficits and manageable public debt; strong ratings for innovation, competitiveness, and business climate

14,000 km gas, 2,500 km oil and refined products, 3,000 km chemicals (2017)

Christian Democratic Appeal or CDA 
Christian Union or CU
Correct Answer 2021 or JA21
Democrats 66 or D66 
Denk 
Farmer-Citizen Movement or BBB 
50Plus 
Forum for Democracy or FvD 
Green Left (GroenLinks) or GL 
Labor Party or PvdA 
New Social Contract or NSC 
Party for Freedom or PVV 
Party for the Animals or PvdD 
People's Party for Freedom and Democracy or VVD 
Reformed Political Party or SGP 
Socialist Party or SP 
Together or BIJ1 
Volt Netherlands or Volt 

total: 3,055 km (2020) 2,310 km electrified

18 years of age; universal

general assessment: telecom infrastructure in the Netherlands continues to be upgraded as modernization schemes undertaken by telcos make steady progress; other fiber providers have been supported by regulatory measures which have encouraged municipal governments to intervene with telcos’ fiber builds, facilitating open access networks in a bid to make rollouts cheaper, and completed sooner; while the Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) are also closing down their Global System for Mobile Communication (MSM) and 3G networks and repurposing their spectrum and physical assets for LTE and 5G, the regulator has also encouraged GSM/3G roaming in the interim, thus safeguarding services such as machine to machine and other low data-use applications while individual MNOs disable their own GSM/3G networks; the country has one of the highest fixed broadband penetration rates in the world, with effective cross-platform competition between Digital Subscriber Line (DSL), Hybrid Fiber Coazial (HFC), and fiber networks; in the third quarter of 2020 the number of cable broadband connections fell for the first time, while the DSL segment has long been eclipsed by fiber; by the end of 2021, over a quarter of fixed broadband connections were on fiber infrastructure, while DSL accounted for only about 29%; almost 49% of fixed connections provided data above 100Mb/s, while an additional 43.7% provided data of at least 30Mb/s (2022)

domestic: fixed-line is 29 per 100 and mobile-cellular at 125 per 100 persons (2021)

international: country code - 31; landing points for Farland North, TAT-14, Circe North, Concerto, Ulysses 2, AC-1, UK-Netherlands 14, and COBRAcable submarine cables which 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) (2019)

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

parliamentary constitutional monarchy; part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands

conventional long form: Kingdom of the Netherlands

conventional short form: Netherlands

local long form: Koninkrijk der Nederlanden

local short form: Nederland

abbreviation: NL

etymology: the English name is derived from the country's Dutch name, which means "the lowlands" and describes the geographic area; only about half the Netherlands is more than 1 meter (3.3 ft) above sea level

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

Europe

2,969 sq km (2019)

chief of mission: Ambassador Birgitta TAZELAAR (since 15 September 2023)

chancery: 4200 Linnean Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008

telephone: [1] (202) 244-5300

FAX: [1] (202) 362-3430

email address and website:
was@minbuza.nl

https://www.netherlandsworldwide.nl/countries/united-states/about-us/embassy-in-washington-dc

consulate(s) general: Atlanta, Chicago, Miami, New York, San Francisco

percent of population: 97% (2023 est.)

.nl

refugees (country of origin): 53,496 (Syria), 19,204 (Eritrea), 7,106 (Turkey), 5,593 (Iran), 5,152 (Iraq) (mid-year 2022); 117,950 (Ukraine) (as of 21 February 2024)

stateless persons: 4,570 (2022)

$1.154 trillion (2023 est.)

note: data in current dollars at official exchange rate

Fitch rating: AAA (1994)

Moody's rating: Aaa (1986)

Standard & Poors rating: AAA (2015)

note: The year refers to the year in which the current credit rating was first obtained.

91 billion cubic meters (2020 est.)

total: 19 years

male: 18 years

female: 19 years (2020)

urban population: 93.2% of total population (2023)

rate of urbanization: 0.59% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)

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

improved:

urban: 100% of population

rural: 100% of population

total: 100% of population

unimproved:

urban: 0% of population

rural: 0% of population

total: 0% of population (2020 est.)

name: "Het Wilhelmus" (The William)

lyrics/music: Philips VAN MARNIX van Sint Aldegonde (presumed)/unknown

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

1.174 million AMSTERDAM (capital), 1.018 million Rotterdam (2023)

accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction

3.88 physicians/1,000 population (2022)

3.2 beds/1,000 population (2018)

lion, daisy; national color: orange

30.2 years (2020 est.)

73% (2013)

note: percent of women aged 18-45

household consumption: 42.1% (2023 est.)

government consumption: 24.5% (2023 est.)

investment in fixed capital: 20.1% (2023 est.)

investment in inventories: -0.1% (2023 est.)

exports of goods and services: 88.5% (2023 est.)

imports of goods and services: -77.4% (2023 est.)

note: figures may not total 100% due to rounding or gaps in data collection

total dependency ratio: 54.9

youth dependency ratio: 24

elderly dependency ratio: 30.9

potential support ratio: 3.2 (2021 est.)

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

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

electrification - total population: 100% (2022 est.)

number of registered air carriers: 8 (2020)

inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers: 238

annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers: 43,996,044 (2018)

annual freight traffic on registered air carriers: 5,886,510,000 (2018) mt-km

PH

improved:

urban: 100% of population

rural: 100% of population

total: 100% of population

unimproved:

urban: 0% of population

rural: 0% of population

total: 0% of population (2020 est.)

Dutch 75.4%, EU (excluding Dutch) 6.4%, Turkish 2.4%, Moroccan 2.4%, Surinamese 2.1%, Indonesian 2%, other 9.3% (2021 est.)

Roman Catholic 20.1%, Protestant 14.8% (includes Dutch Reformed, Protestant Church of The Netherlands, Calvinist), Muslim 5%, other 5.9% (includes Hindu, Buddhist, Jewish), none 54.1% (2019 est.)

Dutch (official), Frisian (official in Fryslan province)

major-language sample(s): Het Wereld Feitenboek, een onmisbare bron van informatie. (Dutch)

The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information.

note: Frisian, Low Saxon, Limburgish, Romani, and Yiddish have protected status; Dutch is the official language of the three special municipalities of the Caribbean Netherlands; English is a recognized regional language on Sint Eustatius and Saba; Papiamento is a recognized regional language on Bonaire

Germany 16%, Belgium 10%, China 10%, USA 10%, UK 5% (2023)

note: top five import partners based on percentage share of imports

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

lowest point: Zuidplaspolder -7 m

mean elevation: 30 m

note: the highest point on continental Netherlands is Vaalserberg at 322 m

11.3% of GDP (2021)

the Dutch military is charged with the three core tasks of defending the country’s national territory and that of its allies, enforcing the national and international rule of law, and providing assistance during disasters and other crises; it also has some domestic security duties, including in the Dutch Caribbean territories; the military operates globally but rarely carries out military operations independently and focuses on cooperating with the armed forces of other countries, particularly with Belgium, Denmark, Germany, and the UK 

the Netherlands has been a member of NATO since its founding in 1949, and the Dutch military is heavily involved in NATO missions and operations with air, ground, and naval forces, including air policing missions over the Benelux countries and Eastern Europe, NATO’s Enhanced Forward Presence initiative in the Baltic States and Eastern Europe, and several NATO naval flotillas, as well as standby units for NATO’s rapid response force; the military has previously deployed forces to NATO-led operations in Afghanistan, Iraq, and Kosovo and also regularly contributes to EU- and UN-led missions; Royal Netherlands Marechaussee detachments have been included in international police units deployed by NATO

the Dutch Army has especially close ties with the German Army, including having its air mobile and mechanized brigades assigned to German divisional headquarters; in addition, the Army shares with the Germans command of a NATO high-readiness corps-level headquarters, which can be ready for deployment inside or outside NATO territory within 20 days; in 2020, Belgium, Denmark, and the Netherlands formed a joint composite special operations component command

founded in the late 1400s, the Royal Netherlands Navy is one of the oldest naval forces in the World and conducts a variety of missions worldwide; in addition to its close ties with NATO, the Navy cooperates closely with the Belgian Navy, including a joint staff known as the Admiralty Benelux; it has a command responsible for the activities of Dutch naval units in the Caribbean, which includes combating drug trafficking, environmental crime, and illegal fishing, as well as providing search and rescue and disaster relief capabilities; the Netherlands has naval bases on Curaçao and Aruba; since 1973, the Dutch Marine Corps has worked closely with the British Royal Marines, including jointly in the UK-Netherlands amphibious landing force

the Dutch military is also part of the UK-led Joint Expeditionary Force, a defense framework of 10 Northern European nations designed to provide security to the High North, North Atlantic, and the Baltic Sea Region in response to a crisis (2025)

total population: NA

male: NA

female: NA

approximately 51,000 active-duty military personnel (22,000 Army; 9,000 Navy/Marines; 8,000 Air Force; 7,000 Constabulary; 5,000 other) (2025)

note: the total figures include both professional military and reservists on active duty

the military's inventory consists of a mix of domestically produced and modern European- and US-sourced equipment; the Netherlands has an advanced domestic defense industry that focuses on armored vehicles, naval ships, and air defense systems; it also participates with the US and other European countries on joint development and production of advanced weapons systems (2025)

350 Lithuania (NATO); 150 Romania (NATO); approximately 800 deployed to Dutch territories in the Caribbean (2025)

note:  the Netherlands contributes naval assets to support freedom of the sea missions in such places as the Red Sea and the Strait of Hormuz; it also assists with monitoring the airspace of the eastern flank of NATO territory by means of fighter aircraft and provides some ground personnel to a variety of other NATO, UN, and EU security missions

Terrorist group(s): Islamic State of Iraq and ash-Sham (ISIS)

note: details about the history, aims, leadership, organization, areas of operation, tactics, targets, weapons, size, and sources of support of the group(s) appear(s) in the Terrorism reference guide

municipal: 2.05 billion cubic meters (2020 est.)

industrial: 5.94 billion cubic meters (2020 est.)

agricultural: 31 million cubic meters (2020 est.)

municipal solid waste generated annually: 8.855 million tons (2015 est.)

municipal solid waste recycled annually: 2,179,216 tons (2015 est.)

percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 24.6% (2015 est.)

on food: 11.7% of household expenditures (2023 est.)

on alcohol and tobacco: 3% of household expenditures (2023 est.)

particulate matter emissions: 10.74 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 est.)

carbon dioxide emissions: 170.78 megatons (2016 est.)

methane emissions: 17.79 megatons (2020 est.)

Atlantic Ocean drainage: Rhine-Maas (198,735 sq km)

Rijn (Rhine) river mouth (shared with Switzerland [s], Germany, and France) - 1,233 km
note – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth

total World Heritage Sites: 13 (12 cultural, 1 natural); note - includes one site in Curacao

selected World Heritage Site locales: Schokland and Surroundings (c); Dutch Water Defense Lines (c); Van Nellefabriek (c); Mill Network at Kinderdijk-Elshout (c); Droogmakerij de Beemster (Beemster Polder) (c); Rietveld Schröderhuis (Rietveld Schröder House) (c); Wadden Sea (n); Seventeenth Century Canal Ring Area of Amsterdam inside the Singelgracht (c); Colonies of Benevolence (c); Frontiers of the Roman Empire - The Lower German Limes (c)

production: 1.761 million metric tons (2023 est.)

consumption: 12.796 million metric tons (2023 est.)

exports: 13.586 million metric tons (2023 est.)

imports: 24.663 million metric tons (2023 est.)

proven reserves: 3.247 billion metric tons (2023 est.)

fossil fuels: 46.8% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)

nuclear: 3.2% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)

solar: 17.2% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)

wind: 24.6% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)

hydroelectricity: 0.1% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)

biomass and waste: 8.2% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)

production: 11.788 billion cubic meters (2023 est.)

consumption: 31.288 billion cubic meters (2023 est.)

exports: 45.129 billion cubic meters (2023 est.)

imports: 66.783 billion cubic meters (2023 est.)

proven reserves: 132.608 billion cubic meters (2021 est.)

total petroleum production: 70,000 bbl/day (2023 est.)

refined petroleum consumption: 840,000 bbl/day (2024 est.)

crude oil estimated reserves: 137.747 million barrels (2021 est.)

0.78 (2024 est.)

53.7% (2023 est.)

0.35% of GDP (2023 est.)
0.36% of GDP (2022 est.)
0.38% of GDP (2021 est.)

note: personal transfers and compensation between resident and non-resident individuals/households/entities

Number of operational nuclear reactors: 1 (2025)

Net capacity of operational nuclear reactors: 0.48GW (2025 est.)

Percent of total electricity production: 3.2% (2023 est.)

Number of nuclear reactors permanently shut down: 1 (2025)

has an active space program focused on the added value of space on science, the economy, and society, as well as the development of cutting edge space technologies and services based on satellite data; builds and operates satellites; researches and develops technologies related to astrophysics, telecommunications, remote sensing (RS), propulsion systems, atmospheric measuring instruments (such as spectrometers), planetary/exoplanetary research, and robotics; active member of the European Space Agency (ESA) and participates in the construction of ESA satellite launch vehicles (Arienne and VEGA) and in the ESA astronaut training program; participates in international space programs and with other foreign space agencies and industries, including those of Japan, the US, and members of the EU; has a robust commercial space sector tied in to the larger European space economy (2024)

note: further details about the key activities, programs, and milestones of the country’s space program, as well as government spending estimates on the space sector, appear in the Space Programs reference guide

Netherlands Space Office (NSO; established 2009); Netherlands Institute for Space Research (SRON; advises NSO on scientific space research; established 1983) (2024)

total global geoparks and regional networks: 2 (2024)

global geoparks and regional networks: De Hondsrug; Schelde Delta (includes Belgium) (2024)

total ports: 18 (2024)

large: 2

medium: 4

small: 5

very small: 7

ports with oil terminals: 12

key ports: Amsterdam, Dordrecht, Europoort, Rotterdam, Terneuzen, Vlissingen

chamber name: House of Representatives (Tweede Kamer der Staten-Generaal)

number of seats: 150 (all directly elected)

electoral system: proportional representation

scope of elections: full renewal

term in office: 4 years

most recent election date: 11/22/2023

parties elected and seats per party: Party for Freedom (PVV) (37); Labour Party (PvdA) (25); People's Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD) (24); New Social Contract (NSC) (20); Democrats 66 (D66) (9); Other (35)

percentage of women in chamber: 39.3%

expected date of next election: November 2027

chamber name: Senate (Eerste Kamer der Staten-Generaal)

number of seats: 75 (all indirectly elected)

scope of elections: full renewal

term in office: 4 years

most recent election date: 5/30/2023

percentage of women in chamber: 40%

expected date of next election: May 2027

10.017 million (2023 est.)

note: number of people ages 15 or older who are employed or seeking work

total: 8.9% (2023 est.)

male: 9.4% (2023 est.)

female: 8.5% (2023 est.)

note: % of labor force ages 15-24 seeking employment

3 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2024 est.)

total: 42.2 years (2024 est.)

male: 40.9 years

female: 43.5 years

4 deaths/100,000 live births (2020 est.)

$69.83 billion (2023 est.)
$63.353 billion (2022 est.)
$64.469 billion (2021 est.)

note: holdings of gold (year-end prices)/foreign exchange/special drawing rights in current dollars

56.5% of GDP (2017 est.)

note: data cover general government debt and include 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 intragovernmental debt; intragovernmental 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

1.61 children born/woman (2024 est.)

3.56% (2023 est.)
3.52% (2022 est.)
4.21% (2021 est.)

note: % of labor force seeking employment

total: 17,772,378 (2024 est.)

male: 8,844,100

female: 8,928,278

188.191 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)

from coal and metallurgical coke: 23.701 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)

from petroleum and other liquids: 112.037 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)

from consumed natural gas: 52.454 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)

total : 41,543 sq km

land: 33,893 sq km

water: 7,650 sq km

23.26% (of GDP) (2022 est.)

note: central government tax revenue as a % of GDP

$1.277 trillion (2023 est.)
$1.276 trillion (2022 est.)
$1.215 trillion (2021 est.)

note: data in 2021 dollars

44 (2025)

note: Includes 3 airports in Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba

total: 3.6 deaths/1,000 live births (2024 est.)

male: 3.9 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 3.3 deaths/1,000 live births

total subscriptions: 21.2 million (2023 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 118 (2022 est.)

25.7 (2021 est.)

note: index (0-100) of income distribution; higher values represent greater inequality

3.84% (2023 est.)
10% (2022 est.)
2.68% (2021 est.)

note: annual % change based on consumer prices

$113.676 billion (2023 est.)
$69.676 billion (2022 est.)
$105.942 billion (2021 est.)

note: balance of payments - net trade and primary/secondary income in current dollars

$71,400 (2023 est.)
$72,100 (2022 est.)
$69,300 (2021 est.)

note: data in 2021 dollars

total: 7.83 million (2023 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 43 (2023 est.)

total: 22.2% (2020 est.)

male: 24.4% (2020 est.)

female: 19.9% (2020 est.)

20.4% (2016)

185.536 million Btu/person (2023 est.)

9.7 deaths/1,000 population (2024 est.)

10.6 births/1,000 population (2024 est.)

installed generating capacity: 59.982 million kW (2023 est.)

consumption: 108.141 billion kWh (2023 est.)

exports: 25.206 billion kWh (2023 est.)

imports: 19.547 billion kWh (2023 est.)

transmission/distribution losses: 4.936 billion kWh (2023 est.)

total: 1,187 (2023)

by type: bulk carrier 11, container ship 36, general cargo 521, oil tanker 27, other 592

NA

$893.132 billion (2023 est.)
$915.294 billion (2022 est.)
$808.111 billion (2021 est.)

note: balance of payments - imports of goods and services in current dollars

$1.022 trillion (2023 est.)
$1.007 trillion (2022 est.)
$910.795 billion (2021 est.)

note: balance of payments - exports of goods and services in current dollars

194 (2025)

total subscriptions: 4.262 million (2023 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 24 (2023 est.)

total: 8.23 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

beer: 3.95 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

wine: 2.92 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

spirits: 1.36 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

other alcohols: 0 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

total population: 81.9 years (2024 est.)

male: 80.3 years

female: 83.5 years

0.07% (2023 est.)
5.01% (2022 est.)
6.19% (2021 est.)

note: annual GDP % growth based on constant local currency

-2.64% (2023 est.)

note: annual % change in industrial value added based on constant local currency

agriculture: 1.7% (2023 est.)

industry: 18.7% (2023 est.)

services: 69.6% (2023 est.)

note: figures may not total 100% due to non-allocated consumption not captured in sector-reported data

0.01% of GDP (2018 est.)

0% of GDP (2018 est.)

5.3% of GDP (2020 est.)

0.39% (2024 est.)