Introduction

The Netherlands in numbers (2021 edition) answers 36 questions about the country by means of images and text. This web publication provides more depth to the booklet of the same name with infographics, and contains text, figures and references for those who want to find out more about a topic.

Small selection

Statistics Netherlands (CBS) has a myriad of data on the country. They provide answers to a huge number of questions. The infographics, texts and charts in this publication display a tiny selection of our data. A total of 36 different questions are presented in a short and sweet way along with to-the-point answers providing the latest available figures. Those seeking more detail will find tables and articles under the links for more in-depth information. Do you have a burning question that was not included here, or would you like to know what other figures are available? Check out cbs.nl. For more infographics, animations or videos about a variety of topics, follow CBS on social media.

A long tradition

CBS can look back on a long tradition of publishing annual figures and yearbooks. The oldest version was issued as the Statistical Pocket Book in 1899, a publication primarily designed to provide policymakers with relevant statistics. This gave policy a firmer foundation. Its successor, the Statistical Yearbook, also served that same purpose. Following the advent of the internet, the website and StatLine became repositories of up-to-date information and the publication, now titled ‘Trends in the Netherlands’, took on a more popular character.

The Netherlands in numbers

Our new approach has meant taking a step back from the comprehensive overview we strived for in earlier publications. We see this as a supplement to the CBS StatLine database, which provides ongoing updates for all our figures. And as a companion piece to our website, where a full range of background information is available.

Have fun reading this second edition of The Netherlands in numbers!

The questions

1. How are figures calculated by CBS?
2. How many dwellings in the Netherlands?
3. How fast is the Dutch population growing?
4. How tall are Dutch people?
5. How many farm animals are there in the Netherlands?
6. Which jobs often cause a poor work-life balance?
7. How many diamond wedding couples are there?
8. How much energy is from renewable sources?
9. How many people fall victim to domestic violence?
10. How many people use the Internet of Things?
11. What are the major religions?
12. What are the most popular majors?
13. What do people die of on an average day?
14. How much water do we consume?
15. What do we buy online?
16. How are the various animal species doing?
17. How many under-23s receive youth assistance?
18. Which flower bulbs are most common?
19. How many companies in the Netherlands?
20. Where do Caribbean Dutch children live?
21. How do we use our land?
22. How many electric cars are driving around?
23. Which jobs have the highest levels of mental fatigue?
24. How much nitrogen is emitted at livestock farms?
25. How many workers belong to a trade union?
26. How much have food prices gone up?
27. Where were people in the Caribbean Netherlands originally born?
28. How many families are at risk of poverty?
29. How sustainable is our behaviour?
30. What do we import from China?
31. How many girls become teenage mothers?
32. Has our purchasing power gone up or down?
33. How many adults smoke?
34. How many millionaires in the Netherlands?
35. How many tourists stay overnight in the Netherlands?
36. How does CBS handle your privacy?