General Information about the Netherlands

Anke Corbin

Key Facts About the Netherlands

The information on this page was current at the time it was published. Regulations, trends, statistics, and other information are constantly changing. While we strive to update our Knowledge Base, we strongly suggest you use these pages as a general guide and be sure to verify any regulations, statistics, guidelines, or other information that are important to your efforts.

Facts You Should Know about the Netherlands

In this section, you will find basic information intended to give you a quick overview to get you started in the Netherlands. We’ll continue to add to it based on your needs. If there’s something missing, send us an email at hello@globig.co , we will let you know when we have added it.

As a member of the European Union (EU), Dutch companies have easy access to the other member states of the EU, providing a much bigger market than just the Netherlands itself. Rotterdam is among the world’s top ports in both cargo volume and container traffic, and the top port for Europe.

Amsterdam is a rising star among startup hubs, regularly hitting lists of top European startup cities to consider. According to a poll from Startup Heatmap Europe published by the European Startup Initiative, 17% of startup founders reported that Amsterdam was among the top cities they would choose if they could start all over again. Amsterdam placed fourth behind London, Berlin, and Barcelona.

Each company will have its own reasons for choosing a new country for expansion. We’ve compiled a number of facts and figures to help you better understand the Netherlands and how it fits with your global expansion strategy.

Conventional Long Form Name of the Netherlands: Kingdom of the Netherlands
Local Conventional Short Form Names of the Netherlands: Netherlands, Holland (informally)
Netherlands Internet Country Code: .nl
Netherlands Capital: Amsterdam
People in The Netherlands are called: Dutch
Official Language(s) of The Netherlands: Dutch is the only official language of the country.
Netherlands Total Population: Approximately 17.5 million (as of 2023)
Netherlands Urban Population: Over 90%
Netherlands Major Urban Areas: Amsterdam-Rotterdam-The Hague-Utrecht-Eindhoven
Netherlands Currency: Euro
Netherlands Currency Symbol: €
Netherlands Thousands Separator (comma) and Decimal Mark (dot): 1,234,567.89
Netherlands Clock: 24-hour format is standard
Netherlands Date format: DD-MM-YYYY (day-month-year)
Netherlands Time Zones for Standard Time (ST) and Daylight Savings Time (DST): Standard Time: Central European Time (CET) – UTC+1 Daylight Saving Time: Central European Summer Time (CEST) – UTC+2
Netherlands Daylight Savings Time: Observed from the last Sunday in March to the last Sunday in October
Netherlands Phone Number Country Code: +31
Netherlands Landline Phone Number Format: +31 (area code) (local number) Example: +31 (20) 1234567
Netherlands Cell Phone Number Format: Generally +31 6 followed by an eight-digit local number
Netherlands Standard Work Week: The standard work week is 38 hours
Netherlands Annual Leave: Minimum of 20 working days (around 4 weeks)
National Holiday: One of the federal holidays, King’s Day (Koningsdag): Celebrated on April 27th (April 26th if the 27th falls on a Sunday), King’s Day marks the birthday of King Willem-Alexander. It is one of the most vibrant and colorful celebrations in the Netherlands, with festivities including flea markets, concerts, and parties across the country.
Netherlands Voting Age: 18 years old
Netherlands Drinking Age: 18 years old for beer and wine, 21 years old for spirits
Smoking in the Netherlands: 18 years old
Netherlands Location and Geography: The Netherlands is a small, low-lying country in Western Europe, bordering Germany to the east and Belgium to the south. A significant portion of the land area lies below sea level, protected by a network of dikes and canals
Netherlands National Symbol(s): The Netherlands has several national symbols that hold cultural, historical, and patriotic significance. Some of the most notable national symbols include: The Lion, The Tulip,Windmills,Orange,Bicycles
National colors: Red, White, and Blue
The Netherlands Government and Political System: The Netherlands operates as a constitutional monarchy with a parliamentary democracy.
The Netherlands Head of State: King Willem-Alexander
Netherlands Election Tenure: The election tenure in the Netherlands is typically four years.
The Netherlands Constitution: The Constitution of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, established in 1815, outlines the structure of the government and fundamental rights
The Netherlands Legal System: The Netherlands has a civil law system based on Roman law codes
The Netherlands Climate: The Netherlands has a temperate maritime climate with cool summers and mild winters. The country experiences frequent rain and strong winds.
The Netherlands Natural Resources: Natural gas Oil Salt Arable land
Religion in The Netherlands: There is no state religion in the Netherlands. The majority of the population identifies as non-religious, with Catholicism and Protestantism being the largest religious groups

Netherlands Female Population: Key Facts and Figures

As of my last update in January 2022, the female population in the Netherlands fluctuates due to various factors such as birth rates, mortality rates, immigration, and emigration. However, according to data from Statistics Netherlands (CBS), as of 2021, the female population slightly outnumbered the male population in the Netherlands.

In 2021, the estimated female population in the Netherlands was approximately 8.9 million out of a total population of around 17.5 million. This means that women made up slightly more than 50% of the total population.

It’s important to note that demographic statistics are subject to change over time due to factors such as aging populations, changes in fertility rates, and migration patterns. For the most accurate and up-to-date information on the female population in the Netherlands, you may refer to the latest data provided by Statistics Netherlands or other official sources.

Population by Age in the Netherlands

As of my last update in January 2022, the population of the Netherlands is distributed across various age groups. Here’s a general overview of the population by age in the Netherlands:

0-14 Years Old: This age group represents children and adolescents. The percentage of the population in this age range is typically around 15-20%.
15-64 Years Old: This age group comprises the working-age population, including young adults, middle-aged individuals, and those approaching retirement. The majority of the population falls within this age range, typically around 60-65%.
65 Years and Older: This age group includes senior citizens and retirees. The percentage of the population in this age range has been increasing due to factors such as aging demographics and longer life expectancy. It is typically around 15-20%.

Age Structure in the Netherlands

The Netherlands has a relatively large working-age population (15-64), indicating a readily available workforce for businesses. However, the aging population necessitates considering the future talent pool and potentially adapting recruitment strategies.

Aging and Gender in the Netherlands Population

The aging population, coupled with a relatively low birth rate, highlights the potential future strain on the workforce. The Dutch government has implemented policies to encourage increased labor participation among women and older adults.

References

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