Government; Balance and Maastricht debt, sectors

Government; Balance and Maastricht debt, sectors

Institutional sectors Periods Balance and debt (million euros) Structure of balance Balance (million euros) Balance and debt (million euros) Structure of balance Revenue (million euros) Balance and debt (million euros) Structure of balance Expenditure (-) (million euros) Balance and debt (million euros) Maastricht debt (million euros) Balance and debt (million euros) Structure of change in Maastricht debt Change in Maastricht debt (million euros) Balance and debt (million euros) Structure of change in Maastricht debt Deficit (EMU) (million euros) Balance and debt (million euros) Structure of change in Maastricht debt Net acquisition of financial assets (million euros) Balance and debt (million euros) Structure of change in Maastricht debt Transactions in other liabilities (-) (million euros) Balance and debt (million euros) Structure of change in Maastricht debt Valuation effects (million euros) Balance and debt (million euros) Structure of change in Maastricht debt Statistical discrepancy (-) (million euros) Balance and debt (million euros) Contribution to general government debt (million euros) Balance and Maastricht debt (% of GDP) Balance (% of GDP) Balance and Maastricht debt (% of GDP) Maastricht debt (% of GDP) Balance and Maastricht debt (% of GDP) Contribution to general government debt (% of GDP)
General government 2020 4th quarter -8,637 95,420 -104,057 436,093 -6,137 8,637 -11,526 -1,168 -1,309 -771 436,093 -3.7 53.4 53.4
General government 2020 -30,320 360,000 -390,320 436,093 40,692 30,320 18,375 -6,649 -1,251 -103 436,093 -3.7 53.4 53.4
General government 2021 1st quarter -1,046 98,065 -99,111 440,682 4,589 1,046 3,807 -2,523 1,248 1,011 440,682 -4.8 53.8 53.8
General government 2021 2nd quarter -8,854 96,557 -105,411 448,671 7,989 8,854 5,118 -2,094 -3,611 -278 448,671 -3.3 52.9 52.9
General government 2021 3rd quarter -6,926 90,342 -97,268 443,879 -4,792 6,926 -10,958 690 -1,283 -167 443,879 -2.9 51.0 51.0
General government 2021 4th quarter -3,363 104,098 -107,461 450,255 6,376 3,363 9,122 -3,339 -2,244 -526 450,255 -2.3 50.5 50.5
General government 2021 -20,189 389,062 -409,251 450,255 14,162 20,189 7,089 -7,266 -5,890 40 450,255 -2.3 50.5 50.5
Central government 2020 4th quarter -8,469 61,180 -69,649 424,077 -15,263 8,469 -17,105 -4,353 -1,293 -981 397,454 -4.0 51.9 48.7
Central government 2020 -33,044 221,203 -254,247 424,077 46,760 33,044 21,495 -6,363 -1,252 -164 397,454 -4.0 51.9 48.7
Central government 2021 1st quarter -3,115 65,568 -68,683 433,200 9,123 3,115 10,412 -6,091 1,227 460 398,811 -5.4 52.9 48.7
Central government 2021 2nd quarter -18,091 51,550 -69,641 455,054 21,854 18,091 12,963 -6,178 -3,621 599 415,308 -4.6 53.6 49.0
Central government 2021 3rd quarter -6,930 58,770 -65,700 453,895 -1,159 6,930 -17,234 10,586 -1,297 -144 425,512 -4.2 52.2 48.9
Central government 2021 4th quarter -1,651 69,264 -70,915 449,459 -4,436 1,651 1,364 -4,275 -2,255 -921 425,592 -3.3 50.4 47.7
Central government 2021 -29,787 245,152 -274,939 449,459 25,382 29,787 7,505 -5,958 -5,946 -6 425,592 -3.3 50.4 47.7
The State 2020 4th quarter -8,065 58,395 -66,460 428,802 -15,369 8,065 -16,558 -4,530 -1,293 -1,053 399,539 -4.1 52.5 48.9
The State 2020 -33,222 210,682 -243,904 428,802 47,932 33,222 22,148 -6,089 -1,250 -99 399,539 -4.1 52.5 48.9
The State 2021 1st quarter -3,530 62,809 -66,339 438,332 9,530 3,530 10,057 -5,875 1,235 583 401,201 -5.5 53.5 49.0
The State 2021 2nd quarter -18,538 48,765 -67,303 460,780 22,448 18,538 13,045 -6,149 -3,621 635 418,325 -4.6 54.3 49.3
The State 2021 3rd quarter -6,898 56,093 -62,991 460,218 -562 6,898 -16,474 10,583 -1,297 -272 428,993 -4.3 52.9 49.3
The State 2021 4th quarter -973 66,422 -67,395 454,670 -5,548 973 1,412 -4,757 -2,242 -934 428,059 -3.4 51.0 48.0
The State 2021 -29,939 234,089 -264,028 454,670 25,868 29,939 8,040 -6,198 -5,925 12 428,059 -3.4 51.0 48.0
Other central government 2020 4th quarter -404 7,666 -8,070 5,777 -247 404 -675 -48 0 72 -2,085 0.0 0.7 -0.3
Other central government 2020 178 30,626 -30,448 5,777 219 -178 1,047 -588 3 -65 -2,085 0.0 0.7 -0.3
Other central government 2021 1st quarter 415 7,977 -7,562 5,924 147 -415 862 -170 -7 -123 -2,390 0.0 0.7 -0.3
Other central government 2021 2nd quarter 447 8,873 -8,426 5,946 22 -447 625 -120 0 -36 -3,017 0.0 0.7 -0.4
Other central government 2021 3rd quarter -32 7,944 -7,976 6,133 187 32 158 -131 0 128 -3,481 0.0 0.7 -0.4
Other central government 2021 4th quarter -678 8,121 -8,799 6,089 -44 678 -682 -53 0 13 -2,467 0.0 0.7 -0.3
Other central government 2021 152 32,915 -32,763 6,089 312 -152 963 -474 -7 -18 -2,467 0.0 0.7 -0.3
Local government 2020 4th quarter -1,718 27,168 -28,886 56,542 521 1,718 1,340 -2,642 -16 121 39,309 -0.2 6.9 4.8
Local government 2020 -1,632 110,084 -111,716 56,542 -1,219 1,632 332 -3,245 1 61 39,309 -0.2 6.9 4.8
Local government 2021 1st quarter 1,540 28,726 -27,186 57,348 806 -1,540 1,975 -193 28 536 39,104 -0.1 7.0 4.8
Local government 2021 2nd quarter -221 30,538 -30,759 55,434 -1,914 221 342 -1,429 12 -1,060 33,568 0.0 6.5 4.0
Local government 2021 3rd quarter 1,611 29,745 -28,134 55,531 97 -1,611 1,469 20 13 206 31,863 0.1 6.4 3.7
Local government 2021 4th quarter -1,247 29,022 -30,269 57,127 1,596 1,247 875 -902 12 364 34,970 0.2 6.4 3.9
Local government 2021 1,683 118,031 -116,348 57,127 585 -1,683 4,661 -2,504 65 46 34,970 0.2 6.4 3.9
Municipalities 2020 4th quarter -359 16,312 -16,671 42,137 283 359 1,898 -1,968 -16 10 36,267 -0.1 5.2 4.4
Municipalities 2020 -931 64,286 -65,217 42,137 -2,053 931 -828 -2,126 -71 41 36,267 -0.1 5.2 4.4
Municipalities 2021 1st quarter 360 16,238 -15,878 42,851 714 -360 -148 762 19 441 37,074 0.0 5.2 4.5
Municipalities 2021 2nd quarter -738 16,582 -17,320 41,007 -1,844 738 -791 -1,091 11 -711 33,405 0.0 4.8 3.9
Municipalities 2021 3rd quarter 884 17,036 -16,152 40,469 -538 -884 361 -22 11 -4 32,896 0.0 4.7 3.8
Municipalities 2021 4th quarter -80 16,358 -16,438 41,347 878 80 1,765 -1,251 12 272 34,550 0.0 4.6 3.9
Municipalities 2021 426 66,214 -65,788 41,347 -790 -426 1,187 -1,602 53 -2 34,550 0.0 4.6 3.9
Local intergovernmental organisations 2020 4th quarter -67 3,190 -3,257 3,299 49 67 -163 134 0 11 31 0.0 0.4 0.0
Local intergovernmental organisations 2020 207 12,187 -11,980 3,299 127 -207 858 -608 74 10 31 0.0 0.4 0.0
Local intergovernmental organisations 2021 1st quarter 0 3,084 -3,084 3,289 -10 0 754 -749 9 -24 -407 0.0 0.4 0.0
Local intergovernmental organisations 2021 2nd quarter 60 3,388 -3,328 3,298 9 -60 349 -267 1 -14 -386 0.0 0.4 0.0
Local intergovernmental organisations 2021 3rd quarter 48 3,181 -3,133 3,254 -44 -48 -375 385 2 -8 -633 0.0 0.4 -0.1
Local intergovernmental organisations 2021 4th quarter -92 3,305 -3,397 3,273 19 92 -469 340 0 56 -256 0.0 0.4 0.0
Local intergovernmental organisations 2021 16 12,958 -12,942 3,273 -26 -16 259 -291 12 10 -256 0.0 0.4 0.0
Provinces 2020 4th quarter -262 1,448 -1,710 874 82 262 396 -518 0 -58 -8,481 -0.1 0.1 -1.0
Provinces 2020 -577 6,084 -6,661 874 47 577 -389 -144 0 3 -8,481 -0.1 0.1 -1.0
Provinces 2021 1st quarter -104 1,422 -1,526 863 -11 104 1 -59 0 -57 -8,404 -0.1 0.1 -1.0
Provinces 2021 2nd quarter 32 1,615 -1,583 872 9 -32 144 -45 0 -58 -9,036 -0.1 0.1 -1.1
Provinces 2021 3rd quarter 46 1,626 -1,580 1,036 164 -46 155 -25 0 80 -9,036 0.0 0.1 -1.0
Provinces 2021 4th quarter -275 1,517 -1,792 1,214 178 275 198 -339 0 44 -8,509 0.0 0.1 -1.0
Provinces 2021 -301 6,180 -6,481 1,214 340 301 498 -468 0 9 -8,509 0.0 0.1 -1.0
Public water boards 2020 4th quarter 27 981 -954 8,343 99 -27 259 -112 0 -21 7,655 0.0 1.0 0.9
Public water boards 2020 -122 3,722 -3,844 8,343 701 122 623 -46 2 0 7,655 0.0 1.0 0.9
Public water boards 2021 1st quarter -43 882 -925 8,423 80 43 83 -152 1 105 7,836 0.0 1.0 1.0
Public water boards 2021 2nd quarter -166 948 -1,114 8,345 -78 166 -179 -79 0 14 7,678 0.0 1.0 0.9
Public water boards 2021 3rd quarter -60 915 -975 8,964 619 60 648 -86 1 -4 7,699 0.0 1.0 0.9
Public water boards 2021 4th quarter 175 1,193 -1,018 9,161 197 -175 259 226 0 -113 7,884 0.0 1.0 0.9
Public water boards 2021 -94 3,938 -4,032 9,161 818 94 811 -91 2 2 7,884 0.0 1.0 0.9
Other local government 2020 4th quarter -1,057 9,435 -10,492 7,796 7 1,057 -826 -403 0 179 3,837 0.0 1.0 0.5
Other local government 2020 -209 39,242 -39,451 7,796 -20 209 714 -951 1 7 3,837 0.0 1.0 0.5
Other local government 2021 1st quarter 1,327 10,837 -9,510 7,815 19 -1,327 1,355 -78 -2 71 3,005 0.0 1.0 0.4
Other local government 2021 2nd quarter 591 11,588 -10,997 7,825 10 -591 942 -50 0 -291 1,907 0.1 0.9 0.2
Other local government 2021 3rd quarter 693 10,640 -9,947 7,813 -12 -693 686 -147 0 142 937 0.2 0.9 0.1
Other local government 2021 4th quarter -975 10,550 -11,525 8,196 383 975 -751 54 0 105 1,301 0.2 0.9 0.1
Other local government 2021 1,636 43,615 -41,979 8,196 400 -1,636 2,232 -221 -2 27 1,301 0.2 0.9 0.1
Social security funds 2020 4th quarter 1,550 41,009 -39,459 24,638 -1,316 -1,550 -2,520 2,665 0 89 -670 0.5 3.0 -0.1
Social security funds 2020 4,356 157,847 -153,491 24,638 -1,229 -4,356 9,575 -6,448 0 0 -670 0.5 3.0 -0.1
Social security funds 2021 1st quarter 529 38,245 -37,716 32,401 7,763 -529 7,309 968 0 15 2,767 0.7 4.0 0.3
Social security funds 2021 2nd quarter 9,458 49,788 -40,330 37,747 5,346 -9,458 15,525 -904 0 183 -205 1.3 4.4 0.0
Social security funds 2021 3rd quarter -1,607 35,422 -37,029 26,397 -11,350 1,607 -9,098 -3,630 0 -229 -13,496 1.1 3.0 -1.6
Social security funds 2021 4th quarter -465 39,204 -39,669 21,834 -4,563 465 -5,384 325 0 31 -10,307 0.9 2.4 -1.2
Social security funds 2021 7,915 162,659 -154,744 21,834 -2,804 -7,915 8,352 -3,241 0 0 -10,307 0.9 2.4 -1.2
Source: CBS.
Explanation of symbols

Table explanation


This table shows data on the balance and Maastricht debt of general government. These figures are also known as EMU-balance and EMU-debt (EMU stands for the Economic and Monetary Union). In this table, yearly and quarterly figures are subdivided to subsectors of general government. Furthermore, this table shows the relation between the government balance and change in Maastricht debt.

Balance and debt are the most import indicators for the healthiness of government finances in the European Union. In the Maastricht treaty and the consequent Stability and Growth Pact, it was decided that government deficit may not exceed 3 percent of gross domestic product (GDP) and Maastricht debt may not be higher than 60 percent of GDP. If government deficit exceeds the threshold of 3 percent, the member state in question shall be subject to the excessive deficit procedure.

The terms and definitions used are in accordance with the framework of the national accounts. The national accounts are based on the international definitions of the European System of Accounts (ESA 2010). However, Maastricht debt is valued at face value whereas debt instruments in national accounts are valued at market value. Maastricht debt covers the following debt instruments: deposits, short term debt securities, long term debt securities, short term loans and long term loans.

Small temporary differences in data in this table with publications of the national accounts may occur due to the fact that the government finance statistics are sometimes more up to date.

Data available from:
Yearly figures from 1995, quarterly figures from 1999.

Status of the figures:
The figures for the period 1995-2023 are final. The quarterly figures for 2024 are provisional. The annual figures for 2024 are final. The figures for 2025 and 2026 are provisional.

Changes as of 2 July 2026:
Data on the first quarter of 2026 are available. Figures for 2024 and 2025 have been adjusted due to updated information. The figures prior to 2024 have been adjusted to resolve inaccuracies.

When will new figures be published?
Provisional quarterly figures are published three months after the end of the quarter. In September the figures on the first quarter may be revised, in December the figures on the second quarter may be revised and in March the first three quarters may be revised. Yearly figures are published for the first time three months after the end of the year concerned. Yearly figures are revised two times: 6 and 18 months after the end of the year. Please note that there is a possibility that adjustments might take place at the end of March or September, in order to provide the European Commission with the latest figures. Revised yearly figures are published in June each year. Quarterly figures are aligned to revised years at the end of June. More information on the revision policy of Dutch national accounts and government finance statistics can be found under 'relevant articles' under paragraph 3.

Description topics

Balance and debt (million euros)
Balance and Maastricht debt in million euros.

Balance and consolidated debt (valued at face value) excluding other accounts payable and debt on financial derivatives, in million euros.

Balance of revenue and expenditure of the government sector. In national accounts it equals net lending/net borrowing of the government sector.

Government debt is consolidated, which means that debt in the same sector has been eliminated.
Structure of balance
Balance of revenue and expenditure of the government sector.
Balance
Balance of revenue and expenditure of the government sector. A positive figure indicates a surplus, a negative figure indicates a deficit. In national accounts it equals net lending/net borrowing of the government sector.
Revenue
Revenue of the government sector consists of taxes and social contributions, production revenue, other current revenue, and received capital transfers.

The time of recording is on an accrual basis.
Expenditure (-)
Expenditure of the government sector consists of intermediate consumption, compensation of employees, interest, social benefits and social transfers in kind via market production, other current expenditure, and capital expenditure.

The time of recording is on an accrual basis.
Maastricht debt
Consolidated debt of the government sector (valued at face value) excluding other accounts payable and debt on financial derivatives. Consolidated means that debt in the same sector has been eliminated.
Structure of change in Maastricht debt
Increase or decrease of Maastricht debt. The change in Maastricht debt consists of the deficit or surplus, changes in financials assets and liabilities and an unexplained residual, the statistical discrepancy.
Change in Maastricht debt
Increase or decrease of Maastricht debt. The change in Maastricht debt consists of the deficit or surplus, changes in financials assets and liabilities and an unexplained residual, the statistical discrepancy.
Deficit (EMU)
Negative balance of revenue and expenditure of the government. It equals the balance, however with an opposite sign. A positive figure indicates a deficit, a negative figure indicates a surplus.
Net acquisition of financial assets
Transactions in financial assets are changes in currency and deposits, debt securities, loans, equity, financial derivatives and other accounts receivable, which are economic flows between units by mutual agreement.
Transactions in other liabilities (-)
Transactions in financial liabilities that are not part of Maastricht debt. Transaction are economic flows between units by mutual agreement.

Transactions in liabilities that are not part of the Maastricht debt definition. They are:
- Equity.
- Financial derivatives.
- Other accounts payable.
Valuation effects
Changes in Maastricht debt that are the result in changes of value, for instance due to currency changes.
Statistical discrepancy (-)
Difference between the balance of revenue and expenditure (+) and the balance of transactions in financial assets and liabilities (-).

Theoretically, both balances are equal. However, in practice differences occur, for instance due to the use of different data sources.
Contribution to general government debt
The consolidated debt of the government sector (valued at face value) excluding other accounts payable and debt on financial derivatives. The contribution to general government Maastricht debt of a subsector is calculated by subtracting claims on other government subsector from its debt to all subsectors. In this way, the presented debt figures of government subsectors add up to general government Maastricht debt. A negative number means the government subsector concerned has a net claim on other government subsectors. Hence, the other government sectors contribute more to government debt.
Balance and Maastricht debt (% of GDP)
Balance and consolidated debt (valued at face value) excluding other accounts payable and debt on financial derivatives, in percentage of gross domestic product (GDP).

Balance of revenue and expenditure of the government sector. In national accounts it equals net lending/net borrowing of the government sector.

Government debt is consolidated, which means that debt in the same sector has been eliminated.
Balance
Balance of revenue and expenditure of the government sector. A positive figure indicates a surplus, a negative figure indicates a deficit. In national accounts it equals net lending/net borrowing of the government sector.

The gross domestic product (market value) is the result of the productive activities of residential production units. It equals the added value (basic prices) of all industries, completed with some transactions that cannot be attributed to industries.

Quarterly balance of the general government sector as a percentage of GDP is a progressive yearly total. It is calculated as the sum of the balance of the quarter considered plus three preceding quarters, divided by the sum of GDP of the quarter considered plus three preceding quarters. The figure for the fourth quarter equals the yearly figure.
Maastricht debt
Consolidated debt of the government sector (valued at face value) excluding other accounts payable and debt on financial derivatives. Consolidated means that debt in the same sector has been eliminated.

The gross domestic product (market value) is the result of the productive activities of residential production units. It equals the added value (basic prices) of all industries, completed with some transactions that cannot be attributed to industries.

Quarterly government debt as a percentage of GDP is calculated as the debt at the end of the quarter divided by the sum of GDP of the quarter considered plus three preceding quarters. The figure for the fourth quarter equals the yearly figure.
Contribution to general government debt
The consolidated debt of the government sector (valued at face value) excluding other accounts payable and debt on financial derivatives. The contribution to general government Maastricht debt of a subsector is calculated by subtracting claims on other government subsector from its debt to all subsectors. In this way, the presented debt figures of government subsectors add up to general government Maastricht debt. A negative number means the government subsector concerned has a net claim on other government subsectors. Hence, the other government sectors contribute more to government debt.

The gross domestic product (market value) is the result of the productive activities of residential production units. It equals the added value (basic prices) of all industries, completed with some transactions that cannot be attributed to industries.

Quarterly contribution to general government Maastricht debt government debt as a percentage of GDP is calculated as the (contribution to) debt at the end of the quarter divided by the sum of GDP of the quarter considered plus three preceding quarters. The figure for the fourth quarter equals the yearly figure.