Netherlands
The Netherlands is a highly urbanized constitutional monarchy in Western Europe, known for its strategic maritime position and sophisticated water management systems. Current estimates place the population at approximately 18 million people, while the country maintains a high standard of living with a projected GDP per capita of 68,988 USD.
Where is Netherlands?
Netherlands
- Continent
- Europe
- Country
- Netherlands
- Coordinates
- 52.50°, 5.75°
Population Details
- Population
- 18M
- Area
- 41,865 km²
- Density per km²
- 435 / km²
- Growth rate
- +0.65%
- Annual growth
- +118.3K people
- Daily growth
- +324.02 people
- World population share
- 0.22%
Population & Social Snapshot
Age structure, urbanization, and benchmark indicators for Netherlands
Age Distribution
Urbanization
Health & Education Benchmarks
Quick Facts
- Capital
- Amsterdam
- Region
- Europe
- Area
- 41,865 km²
- Languages
- Dutch
- Currency
- euro (€)
- Timezones
- UTC+01:00
- UN Member
- Yes
Economy
The Dutch economy is a global powerhouse, holding a nominal GDP rank of 19 out of 212 and a regional rank of 7 in Europe. Recent data indicates an annual GDP growth of 1.1% supported by an unemployment rate of 3.9%, which ranks 120 out of 186 countries globally when sorted by the highest rates first. Key sectors including chemicals, machinery, and logistics are anchored by the Port of Rotterdam, the largest in Europe. With a GDP per capita rank of 17 globally and 5 in the Western Europe subregion, the nation remains among the wealthiest in the world.
Society
Social indicators reflect a high quality of life, with recent data showing a life expectancy at birth of 82.0 years, which ranks 37 globally. The nation is exceptionally connected, with approximately 97% of the population identified as internet users, a figure that holds a global rank of 20 out of 212. Education levels are high, and the society is heavily urbanized, with 95.6% of the population residing in cities. Despite a fertility rate of 1.43 births per woman, the population continues to grow steadily due to migration and natural increase.
Climate & Environment
The Netherlands features a temperate maritime climate with mild winters and cool summers influenced by its 451 km (280 mi) coastline along the North Sea. Much of the country consists of polders protected by a massive system of dikes and pumps, as the lowest point sits at -7 m (-23 ft) below sea level.
Government & Politics
- Government Type
- parliamentary constitutional monarchy
- Independence
- 1579-01-23 (Spain)
The Netherlands is a parliamentary constitutional monarchy where King Willem-Alexander serves as the symbolic head of state. The political system emphasizes consensus, often utilizing the polder model to reach agreements between the government, labor unions, and employers. The executive branch is led by the Prime Minister, while legislative power is shared between the government and the bicameral States General. The Second Chamber, consisting of 150 members, is elected through proportional representation, while the First Chamber provides a secondary review of legislation. Though Amsterdam is the constitutional capital, the seat of government and the monarch's residence are located in The Hague. The country is organized into 12 provinces and includes overseas territories in the Caribbean. This stable governance supports a high life expectancy of 81.9658536585366 years and ranks 11 in Europe for GDP per capita.
History
The history of the Netherlands is marked by maritime dominance and a persistent struggle to reclaim land from the sea. After signing the Union of Utrecht on 23 January 1579, the nation sought independence from Spain, a move solidified at the end of the 80 Years' War in 1648. The 17th century, known as the Dutch Golden Age, saw the country become a global leader in trade and art, driven by the Dutch East India Company. The nation transitioned to a monarchy under the House of Orange-Nassau in the 19th century. Although it remained neutral in World War I, the country was occupied during World War II, leading it to abandon neutrality and become a founding member of the United Nations and the European Union. Modern engineering marvels like the Delta Works protect the low-lying nation, where 95.6396517079336% of the population lives in urban areas. Today, it remains a center for international law and liberal social policy.
Notable Facts
- The Port of Rotterdam is the largest seaport in Europe, handling hundreds of millions of tons of cargo annually and serving as a vital node for global trade.
- With an urban population of 95.6396517079336%, the country is one of the most densely populated nations, featuring an extensive network of 35,000 km (21,748 mi) of dedicated cycling paths.
- Approximately 26% of the Netherlands lies below sea level, with the lowest point at Zuidplaspolder reaching -7 m (-23 ft), requiring a complex system of dikes, pumps, and polders to manage water.
- The nation boasts exceptional digital connectivity, with 97.00679779% of the population identifying as internet users, ranking 20 globally for internet penetration.
Geography
- Highest Point
- Mount Scenery (887 m)
- Lowest Point
- Zuidplaspolder (-7 m)
- Coastline
- 451 km
Major Cities
Largest Cities in NetherlandsExplore weather and climate data for cities in Netherlands
Climate & Weather
View full climate guideMonthly averages for Amsterdam
| Month | Temp | Feels Like | Rain | Sun | Humidity | Status | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 7°C / 3°C | 3°C / -1°C | 12days (69 mm) Wet | 3.8h Poor | 88% Very Muggy | Poor | View Details |
| February | 9°C / 4°C | 4°C / -1°C | 13days (73 mm) Wet | 4.9h Fair | 84% Humid | Poor | View Details |
| March | 11°C / 4°C | 7°C / 0°C | 10days (52 mm) Wet | 8.1h Good | 77% Humid | Poor | View Details |
| April | 14°C / 5°C | 10°C / 2°C | 9days (58 mm) Wet | 10.4h Excellent | 73% Muggy | Fair | View Details |
| May best | 18°C / 9°C | 16°C / 7°C | 12days (74 mm) Wet | 12.2h Excellent | 75% Muggy | Good | View Details |
| June best | 22°C / 13°C | 21°C / 12°C | 11days (74 mm) Wet | 12.3h Excellent | 74% Muggy | Excellent | View Details |
| July best | 22°C / 14°C | 21°C / 13°C | 15days (85 mm) Wet | 11.8h Excellent | 77% Humid | Excellent | View Details |
| August best | 23°C / 15°C | 23°C / 14°C | 11days (65 mm) Wet | 11.5h Excellent | 78% Humid | Excellent | View Details |
| September best | 20°C / 12°C | 19°C / 11°C | 11days (67 mm) Wet | 9.1h Good | 81% Humid | Good | View Details |
| October | 15°C / 10°C | 13°C / 7°C | 16days (101 mm) Wet | 5.9h Fair | 87% Very Muggy | Fair | View Details |
| November | 10°C / 6°C | 7°C / 2°C | 14days (77 mm) Wet | 4.2h Fair | 89% Very Muggy | Poor | View Details |
| December | 8°C / 4°C | 4°C / 0°C | 14days (70 mm) Wet | 2.8h Poor | 90% Very Muggy | Poor | View Details |
Temperature
Line chart showing monthly temperatures. Jan: 7°C / 3°C . Feb: 9°C / 4°C . Mar: 11°C / 4°C . Apr: 14°C / 5°C . May: 18°C / 9°C . Jun: 22°C / 13°C . Jul: 22°C / 14°C . Aug: 23°C / 15°C . Sep: 20°C / 12°C . Oct: 15°C / 10°C . Nov: 10°C / 6°C . Dec: 8°C / 4°C .
Rainfall
Bar chart showing monthly rainfall. Jan: 69 mm. Feb: 73 mm. Mar: 52 mm. Apr: 58 mm. May: 74 mm. Jun: 74 mm. Jul: 85 mm. Aug: 65 mm. Sep: 67 mm. Oct: 101 mm. Nov: 77 mm. Dec: 70 mm.
Frequently Asked Questions
The population of Netherlands is approximately 18M (2024).
The capital of Netherlands is Amsterdam.
Netherlands's GDP per capita is $69K (2024).
Life expectancy in Netherlands is 81.97 years (2024).
Netherlands covers 41,865 km² (16,164 sq mi).
Netherlands is densely populated, with 435 people per km² — above the global average of 60.
Netherlands's population is growing steadily at 0.6% per year, in line with global averages.
Yes — based on GDP per capita, Netherlands falls in the high GDP-per-person tier at $69K. Official World Bank income groups use Atlas-method GNI per capita, so this is a GDP-based comparison rather than an official income-group label.
Netherlands reports a very low intentional homicide rate of 0.7 per 100,000 people — among the safest in the world by this measure.
The official language of Netherlands is Dutch.
Netherlands uses the euro (€) as its sole official currency.
The best months to visit Netherlands are May, June, July, August, September, based on climate data for the capital.
Current estimates show the population of the Netherlands is approximately 18 million people. The country is one of the most densely populated nations in the world, with an estimated population density of 541.4 people per km² (1,402.2 people per sq mi), ranking 71 globally in total population size and 3 of 8 in the Western Europe subregion.
The latest estimates indicate a GDP per capita of 68,988 USD for the Netherlands. This economic strength places the nation 17 out of 212 countries globally and 5 out of 8 in the Western Europe subregion, reflecting a highly developed market economy focused on trade and innovation.
Recent data shows that 97% of the Dutch population are internet users. This high level of digital connectivity ranks the Netherlands 20 out of 212 countries globally, facilitating a robust digital economy where nearly the entire population has access to high-speed communication and online services.
Yes, the Netherlands is one of the most urbanized nations in the world, with 95.6% of its population living in urban areas. This concentration is largely within the Randstad, a megalopolis that includes major cities such as Amsterdam, Rotterdam, The Hague, and Utrecht.
Approximately 26% of the Netherlands is located below sea level, with the lowest point at Zuidplaspolder reaching -7 m (-23 ft). To manage this, the Dutch use an extensive network of dikes, dunes, and pumps, a system that has been perfected over centuries of water management.
The estimated 2026 population of the Netherlands is approximately 18.2 million people. This figure is projected from the official 2024 population of 17,993,485. Currently, the nation is the 71st most populous country in the world and the 3rd largest in Western Europe, following Germany and France.
The Netherlands holds the global rank of 71 out of 215 countries for total population. In a regional context, it is the 10th largest country in Europe and the 3rd largest in Western Europe. The nation also ranks 16th globally for its high level of urbanization, with 95.6% of residents.
The Netherlands is one of the most densely populated nations, with a current estimate of 541.4 people per km² (1,402 per sq mi). According to official 2023 data, the density was 531 people per km². This puts the country at 22nd globally and 5th within Europe for population density.
The Netherlands currently maintains a moderate annual growth rate of 0.65%. While the crude death rate of 9.6 slightly exceeds the crude birth rate of 9.2, migration maintains overall population increases. Recent data shows a net population change of approximately 320 people per day, ensuring steady growth despite low fertility.
The current fertility rate in the Netherlands is 1.43 births per woman, which is below the replacement level of 2.1. This places the country 168th globally for fertility. The government monitors these trends as the population ages, with a median age of 81.1 years recorded in recent years.
Approximately 95.6% of the Netherlands' population lives in urban areas, making it the 16th most urbanized country worldwide. Most residents live in the Randstad, a major megalopolis including Amsterdam and Rotterdam. This high urbanization reflects the country's advanced economy and limited land area, necessitating efficient, high-density residential planning.
All Indicators
Explore Netherlands's data across 50+ indicators
Demographics
Economy
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