Country explorer: Netherlands

The Netherlands has demonstrated robust economic resilience, characterized by a steady rise in GDP per capita, relatively low and stable unemployment compared to its high-income peers, managed inflation rates, and a nuanced shift in population distribution across various poverty thresholds, indicative of its effective socioeconomic policies and strong social safety net.

The Netherlands has experienced steady population growth, moderate net migration, stable though slightly below replacement fertility rates, and a consistent increase in life expectancy, reflecting patterns observed in many high-income countries but with a distinctive commitment to social well-being and health care.

The Netherlands has consistently maintained universal or near-universal access to clean cooking fuels, electricity, safely managed drinking water, and sanitation facilities, mirroring the high standards typical of high-income countries, and showcasing its commitment to sustaining basic needs for its population.

The Netherlands has showcased significant human development progress with steady improvements in its Human Development Index, a notable decline in child mortality rates, persistent high literacy rates, and an increase in average learning-adjusted years of schooling, reflecting its robust commitment to enhancing the quality of life and education, consistent with trends observed among high-income countries.

The Netherlands has seen a steady decline in per capita CO₂ emissions including land-use change, a significant shift towards renewable energy in electricity production, a reduction in renewable freshwater resources per capita, and a slight decrease in forest area, reflecting a broader commitment to environmental sustainability and energy transition in line with global high-income country trends.

The Netherlands has experienced significant technological and innovative growth, highlighted by a consistently high internet usage among its population, a steady number of mobile subscriptions per person, sustained investment in research and development as a share of GDP, and a notable increase in scientific and technical publications per million people, illustrating a robust and growing emphasis on digital connectivity, scientific research, and innovation.

The Netherlands has observed a significant transformation in its culture and society, marked by an increasing multicultural population, high life satisfaction, progressive reduction in gender inequalities, and a gradually rising age dependency ratio, showcasing its adaptability and high quality of life in comparison to its European peers.

The Netherlands has consistently showcased robust governance, with high scores in rule of law, low corruption perception, strong political civil liberties and press freedom, underscoring its position as a leading example of good governance among high-income countries.