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 2021 4th quarter -3,353 104,110 -107,463 450,239 6,372 3,353 9,136 -3,347 -2,244 -526 450,239 -2.3 50.5 50.5
General government 2021 -20,145 389,026 -409,171 450,239 14,146 20,145 7,113 -7,262 -5,890 40 450,239 -2.3 50.5 50.5
General government 2022 1st quarter 6,145 105,478 -99,333 447,671 -2,568 -6,145 -533 855 2,988 267 447,671 -1.4 48.7 48.7
General government 2022 2nd quarter 3,195 111,136 -107,941 458,820 11,149 -3,195 15,229 -1,913 849 179 458,820 -0.1 48.6 48.6
General government 2022 3rd quarter -7,166 99,016 -106,182 451,646 -7,174 7,166 -14,122 -1,489 896 375 451,646 -0.1 46.7 46.7
General government 2022 4th quarter -2,152 114,376 -116,528 481,145 29,499 2,152 26,805 1,145 152 -755 481,145 0.0 48.4 48.4
General government 2022 22 430,006 -429,984 481,145 30,906 -22 27,379 -1,402 4,885 66 481,145 0.0 48.4 48.4
Central government 2021 4th quarter -1,662 69,276 -70,938 449,459 -4,436 1,662 1,364 -4,286 -2,255 -921 425,592 -3.3 50.4 47.7
Central government 2021 -29,827 245,116 -274,943 449,459 25,382 29,827 7,476 -5,969 -5,946 -6 425,592 -3.3 50.4 47.7
Central government 2022 1st quarter 3,918 71,607 -67,689 445,322 -4,137 -3,918 2,602 -5,956 2,950 185 418,468 -2.5 48.4 45.5
Central government 2022 2nd quarter -3,892 66,018 -69,910 463,069 17,747 3,892 19,062 -6,141 868 66 432,627 -0.9 49.1 45.8
Central government 2022 3rd quarter -10,440 63,124 -73,564 469,263 6,194 10,440 -15,828 10,254 907 421 442,265 -1.2 48.5 45.7
Central government 2022 4th quarter -3,628 75,807 -79,435 488,658 19,395 3,628 19,576 -3,223 72 -658 465,588 -1.4 49.2 46.8
Central government 2022 -14,042 276,556 -290,598 488,658 39,199 14,042 25,412 -5,066 4,797 14 465,588 -1.4 49.2 46.8
The State 2021 4th quarter -984 66,434 -67,418 454,670 -5,548 984 1,412 -4,768 -2,242 -934 428,059 -3.4 51.0 48.0
The State 2021 -29,952 234,053 -264,005 454,670 25,868 29,952 8,038 -6,209 -5,925 12 428,059 -3.4 51.0 48.0
The State 2022 1st quarter 3,410 68,840 -65,430 451,294 -3,376 -3,410 2,466 -5,442 2,950 60 421,567 -2.5 49.1 45.9
The State 2022 2nd quarter -4,268 63,150 -67,418 469,746 18,452 4,268 19,004 -5,915 867 228 436,494 -0.9 49.8 46.2
The State 2022 3rd quarter -10,166 60,179 -70,345 476,598 6,852 10,166 -15,804 10,985 907 598 446,608 -1.2 49.3 46.2
The State 2022 4th quarter -3,526 72,813 -76,339 495,902 19,304 3,526 19,702 -3,102 55 -877 469,425 -1.5 49.9 47.2
The State 2022 -14,550 264,982 -279,532 495,902 41,232 14,550 25,368 -3,474 4,779 9 469,425 -1.5 49.9 47.2
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 125 32,888 -32,763 6,089 312 -125 936 -474 -7 -18 -2,467 0.0 0.7 -0.3
Other central government 2022 1st quarter 508 8,630 -8,122 6,193 104 -508 903 -415 -1 125 -3,099 0.0 0.7 -0.3
Other central government 2022 2nd quarter 376 9,518 -9,142 6,103 -90 -376 887 -439 0 -162 -3,867 0.0 0.6 -0.4
Other central government 2022 3rd quarter -274 8,636 -8,910 6,257 154 274 626 -569 0 -177 -4,343 0.0 0.6 -0.4
Other central government 2022 4th quarter -102 9,707 -9,809 6,689 432 102 647 -535 -1 219 -3,837 0.1 0.7 -0.4
Other central government 2022 508 36,491 -35,983 6,689 600 -508 3,063 -1,958 -2 5 -3,837 0.1 0.7 -0.4
Local government 2021 4th quarter -1,245 29,022 -30,267 57,111 1,592 1,245 889 -918 12 364 34,954 0.2 6.4 3.9
Local government 2021 1,691 118,031 -116,340 57,111 569 -1,691 4,714 -2,565 65 46 34,954 0.2 6.4 3.9
Local government 2022 1st quarter 1,954 30,757 -28,803 57,430 319 -1,954 2,115 -59 53 164 34,110 0.2 6.2 3.7
Local government 2022 2nd quarter -300 31,593 -31,893 55,770 -1,660 300 -416 -1,505 2 -41 29,273 0.2 5.9 3.1
Local government 2022 3rd quarter 2,641 33,006 -30,365 54,404 -1,366 -2,641 195 1,077 2 1 27,940 0.3 5.6 2.9
Local government 2022 4th quarter -1,468 32,089 -33,557 54,864 460 1,468 2,478 -3,411 -3 -72 30,324 0.3 5.5 3.1
Local government 2022 2,827 127,445 -124,618 54,864 -2,247 -2,827 4,372 -3,898 54 52 30,324 0.3 5.5 3.1
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
Municipalities 2022 1st quarter 503 17,443 -16,940 41,608 261 -503 -151 961 32 -78 34,685 0.1 4.5 3.8
Municipalities 2022 2nd quarter -184 17,606 -17,790 40,275 -1,333 184 -535 -1,053 1 70 31,051 0.1 4.3 3.3
Municipalities 2022 3rd quarter 2,390 19,501 -17,111 39,333 -942 -2,390 5 1,446 2 -5 30,235 0.3 4.1 3.1
Municipalities 2022 4th quarter -525 18,464 -18,989 39,852 519 525 2,912 -2,948 -7 37 32,046 0.2 4.0 3.2
Municipalities 2022 2,184 73,014 -70,830 39,852 -1,495 -2,184 2,231 -1,594 28 24 32,046 0.2 4.0 3.2
Local intergovernmental organisations 2021 4th quarter -90 3,305 -3,395 3,273 19 90 -467 340 0 56 -256 0.0 0.4 0.0
Local intergovernmental organisations 2021 24 12,958 -12,934 3,273 -26 -24 267 -291 12 10 -256 0.0 0.4 0.0
Local intergovernmental organisations 2022 1st quarter 153 3,157 -3,004 3,268 -5 -153 749 -665 2 62 -664 0.0 0.4 -0.1
Local intergovernmental organisations 2022 2nd quarter -73 3,262 -3,335 3,257 -11 73 268 -219 0 -133 -682 0.0 0.3 -0.1
Local intergovernmental organisations 2022 3rd quarter -129 2,937 -3,066 3,239 -18 129 -135 67 0 -79 -672 0.0 0.3 -0.1
Local intergovernmental organisations 2022 4th quarter 80 3,351 -3,271 3,349 110 -80 -153 185 5 153 -343 0.0 0.3 0.0
Local intergovernmental organisations 2022 31 12,707 -12,676 3,349 76 -31 729 -632 7 3 -343 0.0 0.3 0.0
Provinces 2021 4th quarter -286 1,517 -1,803 1,198 174 286 187 -343 0 44 -8,525 0.0 0.1 -1.0
Provinces 2021 -348 6,180 -6,528 1,198 324 348 451 -484 0 9 -8,525 0.0 0.1 -1.0
Provinces 2022 1st quarter -110 1,498 -1,608 1,193 -5 110 -105 -103 1 92 -8,489 0.0 0.1 -0.9
Provinces 2022 2nd quarter 137 1,795 -1,658 1,144 -49 -137 -26 158 0 -44 -9,342 0.0 0.1 -1.0
Provinces 2022 3rd quarter 116 1,710 -1,594 1,133 -11 -116 140 -47 0 12 -9,388 0.0 0.1 -1.0
Provinces 2022 4th quarter -317 1,713 -2,030 1,083 -50 317 338 -643 0 -62 -9,292 0.0 0.1 -0.9
Provinces 2022 -174 6,716 -6,890 1,083 -115 174 347 -635 1 -2 -9,292 0.0 0.1 -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
Public water boards 2022 1st quarter -35 952 -987 9,353 192 35 149 -73 21 60 8,156 0.0 1.0 0.9
Public water boards 2022 2nd quarter -27 1,069 -1,096 9,290 -63 27 21 -84 0 -27 7,958 0.0 1.0 0.8
Public water boards 2022 3rd quarter -178 971 -1,149 9,217 -73 178 -180 -40 0 -31 8,078 0.0 1.0 0.8
Public water boards 2022 4th quarter 31 1,139 -1,108 9,373 156 -31 105 82 0 0 8,161 0.0 0.9 0.8
Public water boards 2022 -209 4,131 -4,340 9,373 212 209 95 -115 21 2 8,161 0.0 0.9 0.8
Other local government 2021 4th quarter -964 10,561 -11,525 8,196 383 964 -751 65 0 105 1,301 0.2 0.9 0.1
Other local government 2021 1,683 43,662 -41,979 8,196 400 -1,683 2,232 -174 -2 27 1,301 0.2 0.9 0.1
Other local government 2022 1st quarter 1,443 11,522 -10,079 8,213 17 -1,443 1,672 -238 -2 28 422 0.2 0.9 0.0
Other local government 2022 2nd quarter -153 11,633 -11,786 8,259 46 153 177 -378 1 93 288 0.1 0.9 0.0
Other local government 2022 3rd quarter 442 11,519 -11,077 8,320 61 -442 720 -321 0 104 -313 0.1 0.9 0.0
Other local government 2022 4th quarter -737 11,716 -12,453 8,358 38 737 -371 -128 0 -200 -248 0.1 0.8 0.0
Other local government 2022 995 46,390 -45,395 8,358 162 -995 2,198 -1,065 -1 25 -248 0.1 0.8 0.0
Social security funds 2021 4th quarter -446 39,204 -39,650 21,834 -4,563 446 -5,384 344 0 31 -10,307 0.9 2.4 -1.2
Social security funds 2021 7,991 162,659 -154,668 21,834 -2,804 -7,991 8,352 -3,165 0 0 -10,307 0.9 2.4 -1.2
Social security funds 2022 1st quarter 273 37,008 -36,735 24,814 2,980 -273 22 3,313 0 -82 -4,907 0.8 2.7 -0.5
Social security funds 2022 2nd quarter 7,387 47,015 -39,628 28,368 3,554 -7,387 6,261 4,526 0 154 -3,080 0.6 3.0 -0.3
Social security funds 2022 3rd quarter 633 37,828 -37,195 24,875 -3,493 -633 -3,203 390 0 -47 -18,559 0.8 2.6 -1.9
Social security funds 2022 4th quarter 2,944 41,345 -38,401 20,929 -3,946 -2,944 -169 -808 0 -25 -14,767 1.1 2.1 -1.5
Social security funds 2022 11,237 163,196 -151,959 20,929 -905 -11,237 2,911 7,421 0 0 -14,767 1.1 2.1 -1.5
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 1995-2021 are final. The quarterly figures for 2022 are provisional. The annual figures for 2022 are final. The figures for 2023 and 2024 are provisional.

Changes as of 23 September 2025:
Figures for the first quarter of 2025 have been adjusted. Figures for the second quarter of 2025 are available.

Changes as of 10 April 2025:
Due to an error made while processing the data, the initial preliminary figures for government expenditure in 2024 were calculated incorrectly, which means that the figure published for the general government balance was also incorrect. It concerns a decrease in government expenditure. Therefore, the general government balance is 2.3 billion euros higher than originally reported. This means the government deficit is equivalent to 0.9 percent of GDP, rather than the 1.1 percent published previously. The revision also impacts the transactions in other liabilities that are not part of Maastricht debt.

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.