Netherlands

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<p>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.</p> <p>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."</p>

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

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52 31 N, 5 46 E

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Europe

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slightly less than twice the size of New Jersey

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451 km

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temperate; marine; cool summers and mild winters

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

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<strong>note:</strong> the highest point on continental Netherlands is Vaalserberg at 322 m

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

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2,969 sq km (2019)

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

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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, but sizeable communities can be found throughout the entire country

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flooding <br><br><strong>volcanism:</strong> 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

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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

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

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<strong>note: </strong>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

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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.)

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0.3% (2025 est.)

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10.68 births/1,000 population (2025 est.)

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9.7 deaths/1,000 population (2025 est.)

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2.01 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2025 est.)

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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, but sizeable communities can be found throughout the entire country

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

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30.2 years (2020 est.)

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4 deaths/100,000 live births (2023 est.)

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1.62 children born/woman (2025 est.)

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0.79 (2025 est.)

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3.88 physicians/1,000 population (2022)

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2.9 beds/1,000 population (2020 est.)

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20.4% (2016)

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53.5% (2023 est.)

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water pollution, including industrial and agricultural chemicals in rivers; air pollution from vehicles and refining activities

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temperate; marine; cool summers and mild winters

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10 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 est.)

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91 billion cubic meters (2022 est.)

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parliamentary constitutional monarchy; part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands

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<strong>note:</strong> The Hague is the seat of government

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12 provinces (<em>provincies</em>, singular - <em>provincie</em>), 3 public entities* (<em>openbare lichamen</em>, singular - <em>openbaar lichaam</em> (Dutch); <em>entidatnan publiko</em>, singular - <em>entidat publiko</em> (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)

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<strong>note 1:</strong> the Netherlands is one of four constituent countries of the Kingdom of the Netherlands; the other three, Aruba, Curacao, and Sint Maarten, are Caribbean islands; all four are considered equal partners, but the Netherlands makes up about 98% of the Kingdom's total land area and population and administers most of the Kingdom's affairs  <br><br><strong>note 2:</strong> 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 often call them "special municipalities;" Bonaire, Saba, and Sint Eustatius are collectively referred to as the Caribbean Netherlands

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

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accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction

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18 years of age; universal

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<strong>note:</strong> Prime Minister Dick SCHOOF resigned on 3 June 2025 after a party withdrew from his governing coalition, but he will continue in a caretaker capacity until new elections are held, probably in the fall of 2025

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

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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

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26 July 1581 

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<strong>note:</strong> the northern provinces of the Low Countries formally declared their independence with an Act of Abjuration in 1581, but, it was not until 30 January 1648 and the Peace of Westphalia that Spain recognized this independence

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King's Day (birthday of King WILLEM-ALEXANDER), 27 April (1967)

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<strong>note:</strong> observed on the ruling monarch's birthday; celebrated on 26 April if 27 April is a Sunday

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<strong>description:</strong> three equal horizontal bands of bright red (top), white, and cobalt blue<br><br><strong>history:</strong> the colors come from WILLIAM I, Prince of Orange; originally the upper band was orange, but the dye would turn red over time, so red was eventually made the permanent color

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<strong>note: </strong>similar to the flag of Luxembourg, which uses a lighter blue and is wider

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lion, daisy

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orange

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<strong>note: </strong>includes one site in Curacao

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<p>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</p>

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<b>note:</b> data in 2021 dollars

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<b>note:</b> annual GDP % growth based on constant local currency

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<b>note:</b> data in 2021 dollars

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$1.228 trillion (2024 est.)

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<b>note:</b> data in current dollars at official exchange rate

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<b>note:</b> annual % change based on consumer prices

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

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

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

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<b>note:</b> top ten agricultural products based on tonnage

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

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-1.5% (2024 est.)

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<b>note:</b> annual % change in industrial value added based on constant local currency

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10.315 million (2024 est.)

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<b>note:</b> number of people ages 15 or older who are employed or seeking work

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<b>note:</b> % of labor force seeking employment

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<b>note:</b> % of labor force ages 15-24 seeking employment

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14.5% (2021 est.)

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<b>note:</b> % of population with income below national poverty line

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

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<b>note:</b> % share of income accruing to lowest and highest 10% of population

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

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<b>note:</b> central government revenues (excluding grants) and expenditures converted to US dollars at average official exchange rate for year indicated

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<strong>note:</strong> 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

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24.8% (of GDP) (2023 est.)

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<b>note:</b> central government tax revenue as a % of GDP

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

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<b>note:</b> balance of payments - exports of goods and services in current dollars

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

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<b>note:</b> top five export partners based on percentage share of exports

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

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<b>note:</b> top five export commodities based on value in dollars

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<b>note:</b> balance of payments - imports of goods and services in current dollars

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

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<b>note:</b> top five import partners based on percentage share of imports

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

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<b>note:</b> top five import commodities based on value in dollars

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

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more than 90% of households are connected to cable or satellite TV systems with a wide range of domestic and foreign channels; public service broadcast system includes multiple broadcasters, 3 with a national reach and the remainder in regional and local markets; 2 nationwide commercial TV 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&nbsp;

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.nl

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PH

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44 (2025)

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<strong>note:</strong> Includes 3 airports in Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba

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194 (2025)

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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)

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<strong>note 1:</strong> the Netherlands Coast Guard and the Dutch Caribbean Coast Guard are civilian in nature but managed by the Royal Netherlands Navy<br><br><strong>note 2: </strong>the core missions of the Royal Netherlands Marechaussee are border security, security and surveillance, and international and military police tasks<br><br><strong>note 3:</strong> 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

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approximately 43,000 active-duty professional military personnel (2025)

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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)

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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 (2025)

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

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<strong>note: </strong> 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

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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 its operations independently, focusing instead on working through NATO and bilaterally with regional partners; it has particularly close ties with Belgium, Denmark, Germany, and the UK, including some combined military units and staffs<br><br>the Netherlands has been a member of NATO since its founding in 1949, and the Dutch military is 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 contributes to EU- and UN-led missions; Royal Netherlands Marechaussee detachments have been included in international police units deployed by NATO (2025)

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Netherlands Space Office (NSO; established 2009) (2025)

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has a national space program focused on developing advanced space technologies and services based on satellite data; builds and operates a range of satellites, including communications and remote sensing (RS); researches and develops technologies related to astrophysics, atmospheric measuring instruments, planetary/exoplanetary research, propulsion systems, RS, robotics, and telecommunications; founding member of the ESA and active in the EU space community; hosts the ESA's main research and technology center; participates in building European satellite launch vehicles and a range of other European space programs, such as Copernicus Earth observation and the Galileo global navigation satellite system; participates in international programs, including the International Space Station and the Square Kilometer Array project; works with other foreign space agencies and industries, including those of Japan and the US; has a robust commercial space sector&nbsp; (2025)

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1960s - established space program<br><br>1974-1983 - developed advanced astronomical observatory satellites jointly with US, including the Astronomical Netherlands Satellite and the Infrared Astronomical Satellite <br><br>1985 - first Dutch citizen in space on the US Space Shuttle<br><br>2023 - signed US-led Artemis Accords for space and lunar exploration<br><br>2025 - launched the first of four planned synthetic aperture radar (SAR) remote sensing satellites

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Islamic State of Iraq and ash-Sham (ISIS)

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<strong>note:</strong> 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