Country Profile: Netherlands

The Netherlands, located in Western Europe, is a low-lying country bordered by Belgium and Germany, with coastlines along the North Sea. With a projected population of approximately 17.8 million in 2025, this parliamentary constitutional monarchy boasts a robust economy driven by services, logistics, and agriculture. A founding member of both NATO and the EU, the Netherlands exemplifies a modern, trade-oriented nation with significant agricultural exports and a high standard of living.

Geography

The Netherlands features a temperate marine climate, characterized by cool summers and mild winters. Its geographical landscape predominantly consists of coastal lowlands and reclaimed land known as polders, with a notable portion of the land situated below sea level. This unique topography includes the highest point at Mount Scenery in the Caribbean, measuring 862 m, and the lowest point at Zuidplaspolder, which is -7 m below sea level.

41,543 sq km total land area
451 km of coastline
53.5% of land designated for agriculture (2023)
10.9% forest cover (2023)
Natural hazards include flooding and volcanism from Caribbean islands

People and Society

The Netherlands has a diverse population of approximately 17.8 million, with Dutch comprising 75.4% of the population as of 2021. Urbanization is high, with about 93.2% of residents living in urban areas. The country is known for its high life expectancy of 81.9 years and a low infant mortality rate of 3.6 deaths per 1,000 live births as of 2025. The society is characterized by a mix of cultural influences and languages, with Dutch as the official language.

20.1% of the population identifies as Roman Catholic (2019)
54.1% of the population reported no religious affiliation (2019)
0.99 male(s)/female sex ratio overall (2024 est.)
15.2% of the population is under 15 years old (2025 est.)
93.2% urban population (2023)

Economy

The Dutch economy is categorized as high-income, heavily reliant on the services sector, which constitutes 70.3% of its GDP. As a core member of the EU and eurozone, the Netherlands possesses a trade-oriented economy with significant agricultural exports. Real GDP growth was estimated at 1% in 2024, with per capita GDP reaching approximately $70,900.

$1.276 trillion Real GDP (PPP) in 2024
3.6% unemployment rate (2024 est.)
14.5% of the population lives below the poverty line (2021 est.)
88.5% of GDP from exports of goods and services (2023)
1.7% of GDP from agriculture (2024)

Government

The Netherlands operates as a parliamentary constitutional monarchy with a bicameral legislature, consisting of the States General. The capital is Amsterdam, while the seat of government is in The Hague. The governance structure allows for direct elections and active citizen engagement, with a strong legal system based on civil law.

Established 12 provinces and 3 public entities
King WILLEM-ALEXANDER serves as the chief of state since 2013
Dick SCHOOF is the caretaker Prime Minister as of June 2025
Voting age set at 18 years, with universal suffrage
Upcoming legislative elections expected in October 2029

Military and Security

The Netherlands maintains a professional, volunteer military consisting of approximately 43,000 active personnel. The military's primary focus includes national defense, enforcing rule of law, and assisting during disasters. The country invests 2.5% of its GDP in military expenditures (2025) and contributes to various NATO missions.

Involved in 350 NATO deployments in Lithuania and 150 in Romania (2025)
The military inventory includes advanced equipment from domestic and international sources
Conscription is suspended but remains legally in place
Military expenditures were 1.6% of GDP in 2023

Energy

The Netherlands boasts a comprehensive energy landscape with 100% electrification of its population as of 2022. The energy mix is diverse, with significant contributions from fossil fuels, wind, and solar power in electricity generation. The country also ranks high in energy consumption.

59.982 million kW installed generating capacity (2023)
Consumes 108.141 billion kWh of electricity (2023)
46.8% of electricity generated from fossil fuels (2023)
11.788 billion cubic meters of natural gas produced (2023)

Environment

The Netherlands faces environmental challenges, including water pollution and air pollution from industrial and vehicular sources. The country is a party to multiple international environmental agreements aimed at tackling climate change and protecting biodiversity.

53.5% of land used for agriculture (2023)
28.3% of municipal solid waste recycled (2022)
188.191 million metric tonnes of CO2 emissions projected (2023)
91 billion cubic meters total renewable water resources (2022)

Transportation

Transportation infrastructure is well-developed, with extensive railways and a large merchant marine fleet. The Netherlands has 44 airports, making it a hub for regional air traffic.

3,055 km of railway, of which 2,310 km is electrified
1,187 vessels in the merchant marine fleet (2023)
44 airports across the country (2025)

Communications

The Netherlands has a high penetration rate of mobile and broadband communications, with significant internet usage among the population.

97% of the population uses the internet (2023)
23.4 million mobile cellular subscriptions (2024)
4.262 million fixed-line subscriptions (2023)

Key Metrics

Metric	Value	Note
Population	17,833,885	Estimated for 2025
Area	41,543 sq km	Total land area
GDP (PPP)	$1.276 trillion	Estimated for 2024
Energy consumption	185.536 million Btu/person	Estimated for 2023
Birth rate	10.68 births/1,000 population	Estimated for 2025
Unemployment rate	3.6%	Estimated for 2024
Life expectancy at birth	81.9 years	Estimated for 2024
Total fertility rate	1.62 children born/woman	Estimated for 2025
Urban population	93.2%	Of total population (2023)
Military expenditures	2.5% of GDP	Estimated for 2025