| variable | 1980-1989 | 1990-1999 | 2000-2007 | 2008-2009 | 2010-2019 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| real gdp growth | 2.41 | 3.3 | 2.01 | -1.2 | 1.04 | -0.6 | 1.1 | 1.9 | 1.2 | 1.4 |
| CPI % | 2.44 | 2.04 | 2.42 | 0.95 | 1.52 | 4.1 | 3.2 | 3.0 | 2.7 | 2.4 |
| Unemployment rate | 6.46 | 5.5 | 5.34 | 5.75 | 6.44 | 3.6 | 3.7 | 3.9 | 4.1 | 4.2 |
| Debt/GDP % | 64.93 | 68.4 | 48.71 | 57.6 | 59.47 | 45.8 | 43.7 | 43.3 | 44.1 | 44.5 |
| Current account balance/GDP % | 2.91 | 3.71 | 5.15 | 4.85 | 7.25 | 9.4 | 9.1 | 8.8 | 8.8 | 8.7 |
Data derived from World Economic Outlook Database. To see main macroeconomic indicator in graphs click here
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."
Area: 41,543 sq km km2
Climate: temperate; marine; cool summers and mild winters
Natural resources: natural gas, petroleum, peat, limestone, salt, sand and gravel, arable land
Groups: Dutch 75.4%, EU (excluding Dutch) 6.4%, Turkish 2.4%, Moroccan 2.4%, Surinamese 2.1%, Indonesian 2%, other 9.3% (2021 est.)
Languages: Dutch (official), Frisian (official in Fryslan province)
Religions: 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.)
Capital: Amsterdam
Government type: parliamentary constitutional monarchy; part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands
Chief of state: King WILLEM-ALEXANDER (since 30 April 2013)
Head of government: Caretaker Prime Minister Dick SCHOOF (since 3 June 2025)
Description: States General (Staten-Generaal) - bicameral
high-income, core EU- and eurozone-member economy; strong services, logistics, and tech sectors; strongly trade-oriented with heightened risks from global tensions; declining inflation aided by easing energy prices and wage growth; rising but manageable deficits and public debt; strong ratings for innovation, competitiveness, and business climate
agroindustries, metal and engineering products, electrical machinery and equipment, chemicals, petroleum, construction, microelectronics, fishing
GDP by sector: Agriculture: 1.7% (2024 est.), Industry: 17.9% (2024 est.), Services: 70.3% (2024 est.)
Export partners: Germany 16%, Belgium 15%, France 11%, Italy 6%, USA 6% (2023)
Export commodities: refined petroleum, vaccines, machinery, crude petroleum, broadcasting equipment (2023)
Import partners: Germany 16%, Belgium 10%, China 10%, USA 10%, UK 5% (2023)
Import commodities: crude petroleum, refined petroleum, broadcasting equipment, cars, natural gas (2023)
Western Europe, bordering the North Sea, between Belgium and Germany
Military expenditure: 2025: 2.5% of GDP (2025 est.)
Information derived from worldfactbook.io (Lupon Media), open successor to the CIA World Factbook. Data sourced from World Bank, IMF, UN and other international organizations.