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 | 2023 | -3,897 | 458,167 | -462,064 | 481,481 | 336 | 3,897 | -10,351 | 856 | 5,915 | 19 | 481,481 | -0.4 | 45.8 | 45.8 |
| General government | 2024 3rd quarter* | -4,423 | 116,705 | -121,128 | 469,678 | -5,674 | 4,423 | -12,447 | 1,221 | 1,013 | 116 | 469,678 | -0.3 | 42.6 | 42.6 |
| General government | 2024 4th quarter* | -8,019 | 125,124 | -133,143 | 491,055 | 21,377 | 8,019 | 12,538 | 2,704 | -1,179 | -705 | 491,055 | -0.9 | 43.7 | 43.7 |
| General government | 2024* | -10,606 | 487,910 | -498,516 | 491,055 | 9,574 | 10,606 | 667 | -4,748 | 3,095 | -46 | 491,055 | -0.9 | 43.7 | 43.7 |
| General government | 2025 1st quarter* | -2,705 | 121,616 | -124,321 | 490,770 | -285 | 2,705 | -6,362 | 199 | 3,161 | 12 | 490,770 | -1.3 | 43.2 | 43.2 |
| General government | 2025 2nd quarter* | -476 | 134,016 | -134,492 | 491,700 | 930 | 476 | 2,761 | -2,309 | -230 | 232 | 491,700 | -1.4 | 42.7 | 42.7 |
| Central government | 2023 | -22,299 | 296,440 | -318,739 | 494,579 | 5,921 | 22,299 | -23,217 | 2,187 | 4,631 | 21 | 488,954 | -2.1 | 47.1 | 46.6 |
| Central government | 2024 3rd quarter* | -4,246 | 78,898 | -83,144 | 500,916 | -12,906 | 4,246 | -17,957 | -303 | 874 | 234 | 498,277 | -0.9 | 45.4 | 45.2 |
| Central government | 2024 4th quarter* | -12,852 | 79,677 | -92,529 | 520,620 | 19,704 | 12,852 | 10,314 | -1,477 | -1,308 | -677 | 517,787 | -1.8 | 46.4 | 46.1 |
| Central government | 2024* | -20,256 | 318,491 | -338,747 | 520,620 | 26,041 | 20,256 | 4,711 | -1,456 | 2,555 | -25 | 517,787 | -1.8 | 46.4 | 46.1 |
| Central government | 2025 1st quarter* | -2,667 | 79,868 | -82,535 | 522,806 | 2,186 | 2,667 | 924 | -5,943 | 4,533 | 5 | 513,921 | -2.2 | 46.0 | 45.2 |
| Central government | 2025 2nd quarter* | -3,669 | 82,530 | -86,199 | 535,696 | 12,890 | 3,669 | -399 | 9,929 | -524 | 215 | 531,780 | -2.0 | 46.5 | 46.2 |
| The State | 2023 | -21,603 | 283,798 | -305,401 | 502,145 | 6,243 | 21,603 | -22,932 | 2,987 | 4,579 | 6 | 492,411 | -2.1 | 47.8 | 46.9 |
| The State | 2024 3rd quarter* | -3,908 | 75,577 | -79,485 | 511,567 | -12,476 | 3,908 | -16,916 | -592 | 875 | 249 | 504,469 | -0.9 | 46.4 | 45.8 |
| The State | 2024 4th quarter* | -12,375 | 76,298 | -88,673 | 529,965 | 18,398 | 12,375 | 10,271 | -2,252 | -1,307 | -689 | 522,191 | -1.8 | 47.2 | 46.5 |
| The State | 2024* | -19,871 | 305,259 | -325,130 | 529,965 | 27,820 | 19,871 | 7,334 | -1,919 | 2,559 | -25 | 522,191 | -1.8 | 47.2 | 46.5 |
| The State | 2025 1st quarter* | -3,476 | 76,408 | -79,884 | 533,569 | 3,604 | 3,476 | 1,068 | -5,499 | 4,554 | 5 | 519,854 | -2.2 | 47.0 | 45.7 |
| The State | 2025 2nd quarter* | -3,583 | 79,151 | -82,734 | 547,538 | 13,969 | 3,583 | 550 | 10,130 | -509 | 215 | 538,894 | -2.0 | 47.6 | 46.8 |
| Other central government | 2023 | -696 | 39,848 | -40,544 | 7,448 | 759 | 696 | 1,562 | -1,516 | 2 | 15 | -3,457 | -0.1 | 0.7 | -0.3 |
| Other central government | 2024 3rd quarter* | -338 | 10,332 | -10,670 | 8,000 | 450 | 338 | -279 | 406 | 0 | -15 | -6,192 | -0.1 | 0.7 | -0.6 |
| Other central government | 2024 4th quarter* | -477 | 11,230 | -11,707 | 8,607 | 607 | 477 | -906 | 1,024 | 0 | 12 | -4,404 | 0.0 | 0.8 | -0.4 |
| Other central government | 2024* | -385 | 43,541 | -43,926 | 8,607 | 1,159 | 385 | 1,400 | -626 | 0 | 0 | -4,404 | 0.0 | 0.8 | -0.4 |
| Other central government | 2025 1st quarter* | 809 | 11,698 | -10,889 | 8,503 | -104 | -809 | 1,607 | -902 | 0 | 0 | -5,933 | 0.0 | 0.7 | -0.5 |
| Other central government | 2025 2nd quarter* | -86 | 12,006 | -12,092 | 8,482 | -21 | 86 | 1,344 | -1,451 | 0 | 0 | -7,114 | 0.0 | 0.7 | -0.6 |
| Local government | 2023 | -1,688 | 136,008 | -137,696 | 53,594 | -1,270 | 1,688 | 2,303 | -5,227 | -32 | -2 | 27,217 | -0.2 | 5.1 | 2.6 |
| Local government | 2024 3rd quarter* | 739 | 36,453 | -35,714 | 53,599 | -283 | -739 | 552 | -1 | 5 | -100 | 23,817 | -0.3 | 4.9 | 2.2 |
| Local government | 2024 4th quarter* | -1,752 | 38,324 | -40,076 | 53,895 | 296 | 1,752 | 552 | -1,997 | -2 | -9 | 24,924 | -0.3 | 4.8 | 2.2 |
| Local government | 2024* | -3,714 | 143,968 | -147,682 | 53,895 | 301 | 3,714 | 1,560 | -4,962 | 10 | -21 | 24,924 | -0.3 | 4.8 | 2.2 |
| Local government | 2025 1st quarter* | -853 | 35,504 | -36,357 | 54,801 | 906 | 853 | 733 | -681 | -6 | 7 | 26,064 | -0.3 | 4.8 | 2.3 |
| Local government | 2025 2nd quarter* | -1,942 | 37,736 | -39,678 | 53,637 | -1,164 | 1,942 | -1,562 | -1,559 | -2 | 17 | 21,621 | -0.3 | 4.7 | 1.9 |
| Municipalities | 2023 | -1,223 | 78,084 | -79,307 | 39,411 | -441 | 1,223 | 1,607 | -3,238 | -19 | -14 | 29,694 | -0.1 | 3.8 | 2.8 |
| Municipalities | 2024 3rd quarter* | 297 | 21,231 | -20,934 | 39,319 | -176 | -297 | 98 | 54 | 4 | -35 | 28,627 | -0.1 | 3.6 | 2.6 |
| Municipalities | 2024 4th quarter* | -1,214 | 22,577 | -23,791 | 39,950 | 631 | 1,214 | 799 | -1,344 | -3 | -35 | 29,955 | -0.3 | 3.6 | 2.7 |
| Municipalities | 2024* | -2,942 | 83,022 | -85,964 | 39,950 | 539 | 2,942 | 37 | -2,431 | 12 | -21 | 29,955 | -0.3 | 3.6 | 2.7 |
| Municipalities | 2025 1st quarter* | -1,518 | 19,927 | -21,445 | 40,539 | 589 | 1,518 | -1,272 | 350 | -6 | -1 | 31,891 | -0.3 | 3.6 | 2.8 |
| Municipalities | 2025 2nd quarter* | -1,217 | 21,514 | -22,731 | 39,690 | -849 | 1,217 | -1,327 | -753 | -2 | 16 | 28,295 | -0.3 | 3.4 | 2.5 |
| Local intergovernmental organisations | 2023 | 14 | 12,851 | -12,837 | 3,316 | -33 | -14 | 208 | -226 | -1 | 0 | -635 | 0.0 | 0.3 | -0.1 |
| Local intergovernmental organisations | 2024 3rd quarter* | 108 | 3,252 | -3,144 | 3,414 | -31 | -108 | -446 | 524 | 0 | -1 | -1,487 | 0.0 | 0.3 | -0.1 |
| Local intergovernmental organisations | 2024 4th quarter* | 12 | 3,544 | -3,532 | 3,519 | 105 | -12 | -313 | 438 | 0 | -8 | -975 | 0.0 | 0.3 | -0.1 |
| Local intergovernmental organisations | 2024* | 117 | 13,336 | -13,219 | 3,519 | 203 | -117 | 780 | -459 | 0 | -1 | -975 | 0.0 | 0.3 | -0.1 |
| Local intergovernmental organisations | 2025 1st quarter* | 126 | 3,426 | -3,300 | 3,510 | -9 | -126 | 1,009 | -896 | 0 | 4 | -1,851 | 0.0 | 0.3 | -0.2 |
| Local intergovernmental organisations | 2025 2nd quarter* | 6 | 3,496 | -3,490 | 3,488 | -22 | -6 | 94 | -108 | 0 | -2 | -2,001 | 0.0 | 0.3 | -0.2 |
| Provinces | 2023 | 9 | 7,459 | -7,450 | 1,201 | 118 | -9 | 821 | -694 | 0 | 0 | -9,760 | 0.0 | 0.1 | -0.9 |
| Provinces | 2024 3rd quarter* | -108 | 1,684 | -1,792 | 1,251 | -41 | 108 | 355 | -471 | 0 | -33 | -10,313 | -0.1 | 0.1 | -0.9 |
| Provinces | 2024 4th quarter* | 886 | 3,128 | -2,242 | 1,210 | -41 | -886 | 1,814 | -1,070 | 0 | 101 | -11,860 | 0.1 | 0.1 | -1.1 |
| Provinces | 2024* | 630 | 8,427 | -7,797 | 1,210 | 9 | -630 | 2,224 | -1,586 | 0 | 1 | -11,860 | 0.1 | 0.1 | -1.1 |
| Provinces | 2025 1st quarter* | -10 | 2,028 | -2,038 | 1,226 | 16 | 10 | 225 | -220 | 0 | 1 | -12,030 | 0.1 | 0.1 | -1.1 |
| Provinces | 2025 2nd quarter* | 309 | 2,302 | -1,993 | 1,302 | 76 | -309 | 504 | -122 | 0 | 3 | -12,544 | 0.1 | 0.1 | -1.1 |
| Public water boards | 2023 | -446 | 4,665 | -5,111 | 9,741 | 368 | 446 | 35 | -107 | -8 | 2 | 8,657 | 0.0 | 0.9 | 0.8 |
| Public water boards | 2024 3rd quarter* | -93 | 1,269 | -1,362 | 9,926 | 95 | 93 | -298 | 299 | 0 | 1 | 8,889 | 0.0 | 0.9 | 0.8 |
| Public water boards | 2024 4th quarter* | -149 | 1,277 | -1,426 | 10,078 | 152 | 149 | 108 | -102 | 0 | -3 | 9,164 | -0.1 | 0.9 | 0.8 |
| Public water boards | 2024* | -567 | 4,951 | -5,518 | 10,078 | 337 | 567 | -230 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 9,164 | -0.1 | 0.9 | 0.8 |
| Public water boards | 2025 1st quarter* | -286 | 1,177 | -1,463 | 10,385 | 307 | 286 | 238 | -220 | 0 | 3 | 9,599 | -0.1 | 0.9 | 0.8 |
| Public water boards | 2025 2nd quarter* | -60 | 1,436 | -1,496 | 10,137 | -248 | 60 | -28 | -280 | 0 | 0 | 9,115 | -0.1 | 0.9 | 0.8 |
| Other local government | 2023 | -42 | 49,798 | -49,840 | 8,504 | 146 | 42 | 1,077 | -976 | -7 | 10 | -739 | 0.0 | 0.8 | -0.1 |
| Other local government | 2024 3rd quarter* | 535 | 13,182 | -12,647 | 8,467 | -39 | -535 | 648 | -121 | 1 | -32 | -1,899 | -0.1 | 0.8 | -0.2 |
| Other local government | 2024 4th quarter* | -1,287 | 12,868 | -14,155 | 8,495 | 28 | 1,287 | -1,261 | 65 | 1 | -64 | -1,360 | -0.1 | 0.8 | -0.1 |
| Other local government | 2024* | -952 | 51,936 | -52,888 | 8,495 | -9 | 952 | -564 | -395 | -2 | 0 | -1,360 | -0.1 | 0.8 | -0.1 |
| Other local government | 2025 1st quarter* | 835 | 13,717 | -12,882 | 8,519 | 24 | -835 | 1,044 | -185 | 0 | 0 | -1,545 | 0.0 | 0.7 | -0.1 |
| Other local government | 2025 2nd quarter* | -980 | 13,649 | -14,629 | 8,576 | 57 | 980 | -923 | 0 | 0 | 0 | -1,244 | -0.1 | 0.7 | -0.1 |
| Social security funds | 2023 | 20,090 | 184,439 | -164,349 | 3,311 | -17,618 | -20,090 | 729 | 1,743 | 0 | 0 | -34,690 | 1.9 | 0.3 | -3.3 |
| Social security funds | 2024 3rd quarter* | -916 | 44,062 | -44,978 | 159 | -913 | 916 | -9,756 | 7,945 | 0 | -18 | -52,416 | 1.0 | 0.0 | -4.8 |
| Social security funds | 2024 4th quarter* | 6,585 | 51,460 | -44,875 | 224 | 65 | -6,585 | 2,576 | 4,093 | 0 | -19 | -51,656 | 1.2 | 0.0 | -4.6 |
| Social security funds | 2024* | 13,364 | 193,816 | -180,452 | 224 | -3,087 | -13,364 | 13,176 | -2,899 | 0 | 0 | -51,656 | 1.2 | 0.0 | -4.6 |
| Social security funds | 2025 1st quarter* | 815 | 46,651 | -45,836 | 6,281 | 6,057 | -815 | 7,166 | -294 | 0 | 0 | -49,215 | 1.1 | 0.6 | -4.3 |
| Social security funds | 2025 2nd quarter* | 5,135 | 55,755 | -50,620 | 1,263 | -5,018 | -5,135 | 891 | -774 | 0 | 0 | -61,701 | 1.0 | 0.1 | -5.4 |
| Source: CBS. | |||||||||||||||
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.