Netherlands: public finances

What is the national debt of the Netherlands?

Dutch government debt was €524 billion on 1 July 2026, the same as at the end of 2025, or 43.7% of GDP, according to provisional figures from Statistics Netherlands (CBS). At the end of 2025 the debt ratio was 44.4% of GDP, up from 43.8% a year earlier, as debt rose by €32 billion.

This is general government gross debt under the EU's Maastricht definition, covering central government, local authorities and social security funds. The EU reference value is 60% of GDP. The ratio can fall even when debt rises if GDP grows faster, which is what CBS reports for the first half of 2026.

Official sources: CBS: Government deficit of 8 billion euros in the first half of 2026 · CBS: Government revenue, expenditure and debt surpass 500 billion euros

What is the budget deficit of the Netherlands?

The Dutch government spent nearly €8 billion more than it received in the first half of 2026, the largest first-half deficit since 2021, according to Statistics Netherlands (CBS). Over the latest four quarters the deficit was 1.9% of GDP. For the full year 2025, CBS reported a deficit of €19 billion, or 1.6% of GDP, more than twice the 0.7% of 2024.

These are general government figures on the EU basis, which the EU uses to check the 3% of GDP deficit limit. They differ from the central government budget balance in the Miljoenennota, which covers only the national government.

Official sources: CBS: Government deficit of 8 billion euros in the first half of 2026 · CBS: Government revenue, expenditure and debt surpass 500 billion euros

What is in the Dutch budget for 2027?

The central government expects revenue of €481.2 billion and spending of €516.8 billion in 2027, according to the Rijksoverheid overview of the 2027 budget presented with the Miljoenennota 2027 on Prinsjesdag, 15 September 2026. Social security is the largest spending area at €132.4 billion, followed by health care at €125.6 billion, municipalities and provinces at €59.7 billion and education, culture and science at €58.4 billion.

These are planned figures. Parliament debates and amends the budget during the autumn, and actual outcomes are reported in the annual accounts in May. The figures cover central government, not the wider general government used by CBS for the EU deficit.

Official sources: Rijksoverheid: Inkomsten en uitgaven Rijksbegroting 2027 · Rijksoverheid: Miljoenennota 2027

How much tax does the Dutch government collect?

The Dutch government expects to raise €481.2 billion in 2027, according to the Rijksoverheid 2027 budget overview. The largest sources are wage and income tax at €116.4 billion, VAT at €93.5 billion, health insurance premiums at €65.6 billion, corporation tax at €51.3 billion, and national and employee insurance premiums at €49.7 billion and €48.3 billion.

These are budget estimates presented on Prinsjesdag 2026, and the outcome depends on the economy. CBS publishes the actual revenue of all government layers in its public finance statistics, which for 2025 showed revenue, spending and debt each above €500 billion.

Official sources: Rijksoverheid: Inkomsten en uitgaven Rijksbegroting 2027

How much does the Netherlands spend on defence?

The Netherlands plans to spend €28.5 billion on defence in 2027, according to the Rijksoverheid 2027 budget overview published on Prinsjesdag, 15 September 2026. That compares with €26.5 billion for justice and security and €19.9 billion for foreign affairs and development aid in the same budget.

The figure is the planned budget of the Ministry of Defence in the central government budget. NATO compares members using its own definition of defence expenditure as a share of GDP, which can include items outside the ministry's budget, so national and NATO figures differ.

Official sources: Rijksoverheid: Inkomsten en uitgaven Rijksbegroting 2027

How much does the Dutch government spend?

Dutch general government spending was €529 billion in 2025, according to Statistics Netherlands (CBS). In the first half of 2026 the government spent €273 billion, 5% more than a year earlier, CBS reports. Almost half goes on social security benefits, which rose by €8 billion in that period.

CBS figures cover all of government, including municipalities and social security funds, on the EU basis. They are provisional and are revised as annual accounts come in. The central government's own spending plans are set out in the Miljoenennota.

Official sources: CBS: Government revenue, expenditure and debt surpass 500 billion euros · CBS: Government deficit of 8 billion euros in the first half of 2026

What is the Netherlands' debt to GDP ratio?

44.7% of GDP: that is general government gross debt in the Netherlands for 2025, according to the IMF. The peak was 67.2% of GDP in 2013 and the low 42.7% of GDP in 2007. Europe & Central Asia median: 46.9% of GDP; the Netherlands is 27th highest of 51. Worldwide: 116th of 185.

What is the Netherlands' budget deficit?

-1.6% of GDP: that is general government net lending or borrowing in the Netherlands for 2025, according to the IMF (a deficit). The peak was 1.9% of GDP in 2019 and the low -5.3% of GDP in 2010. Europe & Central Asia median: -2.4% of GDP; the Netherlands is 18th highest of 51. Worldwide: 63rd of 188.

How much revenue does the Netherlands' government raise?

The IMF puts general government revenue in the Netherlands at 43.6% of GDP in 2025. Since 2005 it has ranged from 42.9% of GDP (2005) to 44.7% of GDP (2013). Across Europe & Central Asia the middle value was 41.3% of GDP, and the Netherlands placed 17th highest of 50. Worldwide: 28th of 187.

How much does the Netherlands' government spend?

In 2025, general government spending in the Netherlands was 45.2% of GDP, according to the IMF. Its high point since 2005 was 2010, at 48.9% of GDP; its low point was 2019, at 42.1% of GDP. Across Europe & Central Asia the middle value was 43.3% of GDP, and the Netherlands placed 21st highest of 50. Of 186 countries with 2025 data, 34th highest.

What is tax revenue in the Netherlands?

The latest figure from the IMF, for 2024, is 25.3% of GDP. That is the highest since at least 2005. It is 9th highest of 42 in Europe & Central Asia, where the median is 20.8% of GDP. Of 92 countries with 2024 data, 13th highest.

What is the Netherlands' defence spending?

The latest figure from SIPRI, for 2025, is 2.2% of GDP. No year since 2005 has been higher. It is 20th highest of 46 in Europe & Central Asia, where the median is 2.0% of GDP. Of 149 countries with 2025 data, 48th highest.