Government balance and public debt

The general government balance (or EMU balance) is the difference between government revenues and government expenditure. Revenues and expenditure are recorded in the year in which economic value is created, changed or lost, or when a right or obligation arises, is amended or cancelled. When expenditure exceeds government revenues, this is referred to as a government deficit or budget deficit.

Total public debt (or EMU debt) refers to government debt at nominal value (not at market value). Commercial credits and accruals do not form part of government debt. Debts between the various levels of government in the Netherlands are also excluded.

The data in this news release has been compiled on the basis of European directives for national accounts (ESR 2010) and supplementary European rules for the definition of government deficit and government debt.