General government balance and total 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, changes form or is lost, or when a right or obligation arises, is changed or cancelled. When government spending 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. Mutual debts between different levels of government are also excluded.

The data in this news release is compiled in accordance with European directives on national accounts (ESR 2010) and supplementary European rules regarding the definitions of government deficit and public debt.

The government comprises central government, local government (municipalities, provinces, local water authorities etc.) and the social security funds. In order to compile its statistics, Statistics Netherlands collects data from the most important government sectors and uses additional estimates for institutions which are not included.