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 2023 4th quarter* -764 120,313 -121,077 482,228 14,126 764 14,347 201 -859 -327 482,228 -0.4 45.2 45.2
General government 2023* -3,820 457,397 -461,217 482,228 1,083 3,820 -12,635 3,966 5,925 7 482,228 -0.4 45.2 45.2
General government 2024 1st quarter* 2,731 117,135 -114,404 476,519 -5,709 -2,731 -5,316 -1,117 3,119 336 476,519 -0.4 44.0 44.0
General government 2024 2nd quarter* -395 129,268 -129,663 475,929 -590 395 4,748 -5,696 432 -469 475,929 -0.4 43.3 43.3
General government 2024 3rd quarter* -4,590 116,141 -120,731 470,240 -5,689 4,590 -13,124 2,092 1,028 -275 470,240 -0.3 42.2 42.2
General government 2024 4th quarter* -7,830 124,792 -132,622 491,585 21,345 7,830 15,111 -795 -1,157 356 491,585 -0.9 43.3 43.3
General government 2024* -10,084 487,336 -497,420 491,585 9,357 10,084 1,419 -5,516 3,422 -52 491,585 -0.9 43.3 43.3
Central government 2023 4th quarter* -3,083 78,447 -81,530 498,146 7,630 3,083 12,340 -6,034 -1,325 -434 489,158 -2.1 46.7 45.8
Central government 2023* -22,307 296,643 -318,950 498,146 9,488 22,307 -21,545 3,898 4,826 2 489,158 -2.1 46.7 45.8
Central government 2024 1st quarter* 2,518 79,084 -76,566 492,647 -5,499 -2,518 -433 -5,713 2,850 315 477,246 -0.8 45.5 44.1
Central government 2024 2nd quarter* -5,361 81,280 -86,641 518,631 25,984 5,361 13,697 7,292 113 -479 510,374 -0.8 47.1 46.4
Central government 2024 3rd quarter* -4,625 78,404 -83,029 505,715 -12,916 4,625 -18,062 100 673 -252 498,297 -0.9 45.3 44.7
Central government 2024 4th quarter* -12,830 79,428 -92,258 526,791 21,076 12,830 13,267 -4,784 -617 380 517,797 -1.8 46.4 45.7
Central government 2024* -20,298 318,196 -338,494 526,791 28,645 20,298 8,469 -3,105 3,019 -36 517,797 -1.8 46.4 45.7
The State 2023 4th quarter* -2,470 75,242 -77,712 505,490 6,374 2,470 12,322 -6,363 -1,495 -560 492,390 -2.1 47.3 46.1
The State 2023* -22,320 284,205 -306,525 505,490 9,588 22,320 -21,122 3,963 4,424 3 492,390 -2.1 47.3 46.1
The State 2024 1st quarter* 1,899 75,729 -73,830 501,665 -3,825 -1,899 567 -5,558 2,748 317 482,020 -0.8 46.3 44.5
The State 2024 2nd quarter* -5,591 78,061 -83,652 528,807 27,142 5,591 14,240 7,796 -7 -478 516,411 -0.9 48.1 46.9
The State 2024 3rd quarter* -4,461 75,059 -79,520 516,335 -12,472 4,461 -17,102 -122 539 -248 504,417 -1.0 46.3 45.2
The State 2024 4th quarter* -12,603 76,034 -88,637 536,121 19,786 12,603 12,708 -5,503 -404 382 522,131 -1.8 47.3 46.0
The State 2024* -20,756 304,883 -325,639 536,121 30,631 20,756 10,413 -3,387 2,876 -27 522,131 -1.8 47.3 46.0
Other central government 2023 4th quarter* -613 9,881 -10,494 7,521 -8 613 -799 52 0 126 -3,232 0.0 0.7 -0.3
Other central government 2023* 13 40,062 -40,049 7,521 832 -13 1,456 -610 0 -1 -3,232 0.0 0.7 -0.3
Other central government 2024 1st quarter* 619 10,882 -10,263 7,686 165 -619 1,400 -614 0 -2 -4,774 0.1 0.7 -0.4
Other central government 2024 2nd quarter* 230 11,526 -11,296 7,623 -63 -230 1,492 -1,324 0 -1 -6,037 0.1 0.7 -0.5
Other central government 2024 3rd quarter* -164 10,549 -10,713 8,073 450 164 -175 465 0 -4 -6,120 0.0 0.7 -0.5
Other central government 2024 4th quarter* -227 11,437 -11,664 8,680 607 227 -702 1,084 0 -2 -4,334 0.0 0.8 -0.4
Other central government 2024* 458 44,394 -43,936 8,680 1,159 -458 2,015 -389 0 -9 -4,334 0.0 0.8 -0.4
Local government 2023 4th quarter* -1,210 36,217 -37,427 54,180 416 1,210 2,005 -2,883 -7 91 27,760 0.0 5.1 2.6
Local government 2023* 87 135,614 -135,527 54,180 -684 -87 1,023 -1,613 -12 5 27,760 0.0 5.1 2.6
Local government 2024 1st quarter* -1,125 33,094 -34,219 55,476 1,296 1,125 797 -650 3 21 30,914 -0.3 5.1 2.9
Local government 2024 2nd quarter* -1,393 36,119 -37,512 54,471 -1,005 1,393 -278 -2,137 7 10 25,833 -0.3 5.0 2.3
Local government 2024 3rd quarter* 913 36,444 -35,531 54,188 -283 -913 436 212 5 -23 24,360 -0.3 4.9 2.2
Local government 2024 4th quarter* -1,622 38,212 -39,834 54,459 271 1,622 1,095 -2,420 -2 -24 25,443 -0.3 4.8 2.2
Local government 2024* -3,227 143,869 -147,096 54,459 279 3,227 2,050 -4,995 13 -16 25,443 -0.3 4.8 2.2
Municipalities 2023 4th quarter* 395 21,986 -21,591 39,545 273 -395 2,651 -1,987 -6 10 29,946 0.0 3.7 2.8
Municipalities 2023* -332 77,903 -78,235 39,545 -307 332 -391 -253 -9 14 29,946 0.0 3.7 2.8
Municipalities 2024 1st quarter* -1,128 18,866 -19,994 40,687 1,142 1,128 -132 122 5 19 32,607 -0.1 3.8 3.0
Municipalities 2024 2nd quarter* -923 20,356 -21,279 39,629 -1,058 923 -728 -1,263 6 4 28,646 -0.1 3.6 2.6
Municipalities 2024 3rd quarter* 299 21,223 -20,924 39,453 -176 -299 88 54 4 -23 28,878 -0.1 3.5 2.6
Municipalities 2024 4th quarter* -1,190 22,568 -23,758 40,084 631 1,190 809 -1,344 -3 -21 30,207 -0.3 3.5 2.7
Municipalities 2024* -2,942 83,013 -85,955 40,084 539 2,942 37 -2,431 12 -21 30,207 -0.3 3.5 2.7
Local intergovernmental organisations 2023 4th quarter* -202 3,430 -3,632 3,325 6 202 -722 441 0 85 -438 0.0 0.3 0.0
Local intergovernmental organisations 2023* 45 12,997 -12,952 3,325 -24 -45 -532 553 -1 1 -438 0.0 0.3 0.0
Local intergovernmental organisations 2024 1st quarter* 47 3,188 -3,141 3,326 1 -47 1,113 -1,065 0 0 -1,084 0.0 0.3 -0.1
Local intergovernmental organisations 2024 2nd quarter* -56 3,360 -3,416 3,454 128 56 426 -356 0 2 -1,166 0.0 0.3 -0.1
Local intergovernmental organisations 2024 3rd quarter* 109 3,261 -3,152 3,423 -31 -109 -446 524 0 0 -1,290 0.0 0.3 -0.1
Local intergovernmental organisations 2024 4th quarter* 17 3,545 -3,528 3,528 105 -17 -313 438 0 -3 -778 0.0 0.3 -0.1
Local intergovernmental organisations 2024* 117 13,354 -13,237 3,528 203 -117 780 -459 0 -1 -778 0.0 0.3 -0.1
Provinces 2023 4th quarter* -575 1,387 -1,962 1,152 -12 575 1,091 -1,645 0 -33 -9,618 0.0 0.1 -0.9
Provinces 2023* -146 7,026 -7,172 1,152 69 146 1,482 -1,550 0 -9 -9,618 0.0 0.1 -0.9
Provinces 2024 1st quarter* -132 1,687 -1,819 1,209 57 132 -308 233 0 0 -8,917 0.0 0.1 -0.8
Provinces 2024 2nd quarter* 42 1,947 -1,905 1,246 37 -42 363 -289 3 2 -9,610 -0.1 0.1 -0.9
Provinces 2024 3rd quarter* -82 1,691 -1,773 1,205 -41 82 205 -327 0 -1 -10,169 -0.1 0.1 -0.9
Provinces 2024 4th quarter* 919 3,141 -2,222 1,164 -41 -919 1,964 -1,086 0 0 -11,718 0.1 0.1 -1.0
Provinces 2024* 747 8,466 -7,719 1,164 12 -747 2,224 -1,469 3 1 -11,718 0.1 0.1 -1.0
Public water boards 2023 4th quarter* -9 1,248 -1,257 9,728 323 9 151 149 0 14 8,644 0.0 0.9 0.8
Public water boards 2023* -525 4,446 -4,971 9,728 355 525 -66 -103 0 -1 8,644 0.0 0.9 0.8
Public water boards 2024 1st quarter* -185 1,148 -1,333 9,978 250 185 71 -6 0 0 9,062 0.0 0.9 0.8
Public water boards 2024 2nd quarter* -142 1,256 -1,398 9,818 -160 142 -111 -191 0 0 8,776 0.0 0.9 0.8
Public water boards 2024 3rd quarter* -94 1,269 -1,363 9,913 95 94 -298 299 0 0 8,876 0.0 0.9 0.8
Public water boards 2024 4th quarter* -146 1,277 -1,423 10,065 152 146 108 -102 0 0 9,151 0.0 0.9 0.8
Public water boards 2024* -567 4,950 -5,517 10,065 337 567 -230 0 0 0 9,151 0.0 0.9 0.8
Other local government 2023 4th quarter* -819 12,534 -13,353 8,467 -99 819 -986 53 0 15 -774 0.1 0.8 -0.1
Other local government 2023* 1,045 49,584 -48,539 8,467 109 -1,045 1,278 -124 0 0 -774 0.1 0.8 -0.1
Other local government 2024 1st quarter* 273 12,326 -12,053 8,485 18 -273 243 48 -2 2 -754 0.0 0.8 -0.1
Other local government 2024 2nd quarter* -314 13,494 -13,808 8,469 -16 314 -131 -199 -2 2 -813 -0.1 0.8 -0.1
Other local government 2024 3rd quarter* 681 13,137 -12,456 8,430 -39 -681 692 -52 1 1 -1,935 0.0 0.8 -0.2
Other local government 2024 4th quarter* -1,222 12,724 -13,946 8,433 3 1,222 -878 -342 1 0 -1,419 -0.1 0.7 -0.1
Other local government 2024* -582 51,681 -52,263 8,433 -34 582 -74 -545 -2 5 -1,419 -0.1 0.7 -0.1
Social security funds 2023 4th quarter* 3,529 44,441 -40,912 6,664 -2,149 -3,529 1,992 -628 0 16 -34,690 1.7 0.6 -3.2
Social security funds 2023* 18,400 184,292 -165,892 6,664 -14,265 -18,400 2,717 1,418 0 0 -34,690 1.7 0.6 -3.2
Social security funds 2024 1st quarter* 1,338 44,435 -43,097 13,016 6,352 -1,338 8,691 -1,001 0 0 -31,641 0.6 1.2 -2.9
Social security funds 2024 2nd quarter* 6,359 53,791 -47,432 5,839 -7,177 -6,359 13,100 -13,918 0 0 -60,278 0.7 0.5 -5.5
Social security funds 2024 3rd quarter* -878 44,023 -44,901 4,933 -906 878 -9,739 7,955 0 0 -52,417 0.9 0.4 -4.7
Social security funds 2024 4th quarter* 6,622 51,435 -44,813 6,406 1,473 -6,622 3,993 4,102 0 0 -51,655 1.2 0.6 -4.6
Social security funds 2024* 13,441 193,684 -180,243 6,406 -258 -13,441 16,045 -2,862 0 0 -51,655 1.2 0.6 -4.6
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 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.

Changes as of 26 March 2025:
The figures for the fourth quarter of 2024 and annual figures for 2024 are available.
The figures for the first three quarters of 2024 have been adjusted.

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.