How do we use our land?

The total surface area of the Netherlands is 4.2 million hectares, including both inland and open water. In 2015, about half of this surface area was used for agriculture; around onethird was nature, water or used for recreation. A relatively small part of our territory is earmarked for buildings and roads.

Of the total surface area of the Netherlands, 54 percent (2.2 million hectares) is used as farmland, and 13 percent (0.4 million hectares) is built-up areanoot1 and road surface. The built-up area consists mainly of living space and business parks. In addition, 34 percent is made up of nature and inland and open waternoot2, which includes 0.5 million hectares of forest and other types of natural land, such as heathland, beaches and dunes (12 percent of the country’s total surface area). With the Veluwe and Biesbosch respectively, Gelderland and Noord-Brabant have a relatively large area of natural land. The country’s various inland waters, such as the IJsselmeer and the rivers, account for 9 percent of its total surface area. The open waters, including the Wadden Sea, the coastal zone of the North Sea, the Western Scheldt and Eastern Scheldt, account for 10 percent of land use.

Flevoland and Fryslân have the largest share of natural areas

About half of the surface area of both Flevoland and Fryslân consists of nature, water and recreational areas. Overijssel has the smallest share of natural areas and water (19 percent), followed by Drenthe (21 percent). These two provinces have the largest proportion of farmland, at 70 percent. The share of farmland is lowest in Noord-Holland and Flevoland, at around 40 percent. The share of built-up areas, semi-covered areas and road surface is highest in Zuid-Holland, Utrecht and Limburg, and lowest in Fryslân and Flevoland.

Show datatableLand use per province, 2015 (%)Hide datatableLand use per province, 2015 (%)

Land use per province, 2015 (%)

	Nature, water and recreational area	Built-up area and road surface	Farmland
Flevoland	53	6.1	40.8
Fryslân	50.1	5.1	44.8
Noord-Holland	46.2	15.5	38.4
Zeeland	45.8	7.8	46.5
Nederland	33.5	12.7	53.8
Zuid-Holland	29.6	22.7	47.6
Gelderland	28.5	13.4	58.1
Groningen	27.9	8.9	63.2
Utrecht	23.3	21.1	55.6
Noord-Brabant	23.1	17	59.9
Limburg	22.4	19	58.5
Drenthe	21.4	9.1	69.5
Overijssel	18.7	11.7	69.5

On average 500 metres to public green spaces

In 2015, most Dutch people did not have to travel far to public green spaces such as forests, parks and public gardens, and areas for day recreation such as zoos, amusement parks and playgrounds. The average distancenoot3 to public green was 0.5 kilometres. For residents of Vlieland this distance was the smallest at 0.1 kilometres, while in Littenseradiel it was the largest at 3.5 kilometres.

Show datatableDistance by road to public green spaces, 2015Hide datatableDistance by road to public green spaces, 2015

Distance by road to public green spaces, 2015

Gemeente	Distance to public green spaces
Vlieland	0.1
Muiden	0.2
Rozendaal	0.2
Alblasserdam	0.3
Albrandswaard	0.3
Almere	0.3
Arnhem	0.3
Baarn	0.3
Bergen (NH.)	0.3
Blaricum	0.3
Castricum	0.3
Culemborg	0.3
Diemen	0.3
Doesburg	0.3
Edam-Volendam	0.3
Enkhuizen	0.3
Groningen	0.3
Harderwijk	0.3
Heemskerk	0.3
Heerlen	0.3
Hellevoetsluis	0.3
Huizen	0.3
Kerkrade	0.3
Krimpen aan den IJssel	0.3
Landsmeer	0.3
Leiderdorp	0.3
Lelystad	0.3
Maassluis	0.3
Nieuwegein	0.3
Nissewaard	0.3
Oegstgeest	0.3
Renkum	0.3
Rijswijk (ZH.)	0.3
Schiedam	0.3
Sliedrecht	0.3
Stede Broec	0.3
Utrecht	0.3
Utrechtse Heuvelrug	0.3
Velsen	0.3
Vlaardingen	0.3
Voorschoten	0.3
Wassenaar	0.3
Westervoort	0.3
Wijk bij Duurstede	0.3
Zandvoort	0.3
Zeewolde	0.3
Zeist	0.3
Zoetermeer	0.3
Zutphen	0.3
Zwijndrecht	0.3
Alkmaar	0.4
Almelo	0.4
Amersfoort	0.4
Amstelveen	0.4
Amsterdam	0.4
Apeldoorn	0.4
Assen	0.4
Barendrecht	0.4
Bellingwedde	0.4
Bergeijk	0.4
Bergen (L.)	0.4
Bergen op Zoom	0.4
Beverwijk	0.4
De Bilt	0.4
Bloemendaal	0.4
Brielle	0.4
Brummen	0.4
Brunssum	0.4
Capelle aan den IJssel	0.4
Delfzijl	0.4
Deventer	0.4
Doetinchem	0.4
Dordrecht	0.4
Dronten	0.4
Eersel	0.4
Eindhoven	0.4
Elburg	0.4
Enschede	0.4
Ermelo	0.4
Etten-Leur	0.4
Geertruidenberg	0.4
Geldrop-Mierlo	0.4
Goirle	0.4
Gorinchem	0.4
Gouda	0.4
Grave	0.4
Haarlem	0.4
Haarlemmermeer	0.4
Haren	0.4
Hattem	0.4
Heerenveen	0.4
Heeze-Leende	0.4
Heiloo	0.4
Hellendoorn	0.4
Helmond	0.4
Hendrik-Ido-Ambacht	0.4
's-Hertogenbosch	0.4
Hoogeveen	0.4
Hoogezand-Sappemeer	0.4
Hoorn	0.4
Houten	0.4
IJsselstein	0.4
Laren (NH.)	0.4
Leiden	0.4
Leidschendam-Voorburg	0.4
Maasgouw	0.4
Maastricht	0.4
Meppel	0.4
Midden-Drenthe	0.4
Mill en Sint Hubert	0.4
Mook en Middelaar	0.4
Naarden	0.4
Nijmegen	0.4
Noordwijk	0.4
Nuenen, Gerwen en Nederwetten	0.4
Oisterwijk	0.4
Oldambt	0.4
Ommen	0.4
Oost Gelre	0.4
Oosterhout	0.4
Oud-Beijerland	0.4
Papendrecht	0.4
Purmerend	0.4
Putten	0.4
Rheden	0.4
Ridderkerk	0.4
Rijnwaarden	0.4
Rijssen-Holten	0.4
Roermond	0.4
Roosendaal	0.4
Rotterdam	0.4
Schiermonnikoog	0.4
Sint-Oedenrode	0.4
Soest	0.4
Terschelling	0.4
Tiel	0.4
Tilburg	0.4
Tynaarlo	0.4
Uden	0.4
Uitgeest	0.4
Uithoorn	0.4
Urk	0.4
Valkenburg aan de Geul	0.4
Valkenswaard	0.4
Veendam	0.4
Veenendaal	0.4
Veldhoven	0.4
Venlo	0.4
Vught	0.4
Waalre	0.4
Weert	0.4
Wijchen	0.4
Wijdemeren	0.4
Woudenberg	0.4
Zaanstad	0.4
Zwolle	0.4
Aa en Hunze	0.5
Aalten	0.5
Alphen aan den Rijn	0.5
Asten	0.5
Best	0.5
Beuningen	0.5
Bladel	0.5
Borne	0.5
Boxtel	0.5
Breda	0.5
Bussum	0.5
Coevorden	0.5
Cuijk	0.5
Delft	0.5
Dongen	0.5
Druten	0.5
Duiven	0.5
Emmen	0.5
Gilze en Rijen	0.5
s-Gravenhage	0.5
Haaksbergen	0.5
Hardinxveld-Giessendam	0.5
Harlingen	0.5
Heemstede	0.5
Heerhugowaard	0.5
Den Helder	0.5
Heumen	0.5
Heusden	0.5
Hillegom	0.5
Hilversum	0.5
Hulst	0.5
Kampen	0.5
Katwijk	0.5
Landgraaf	0.5
Lansingerland	0.5
Leeuwarderadeel	0.5
Leusden	0.5
Lingewaal	0.5
Lisse	0.5
Lochem	0.5
Loon op Zand	0.5
Meerssen	0.5
Menterwolde	0.5
Middelburg (Z.)	0.5
Midden-Delfland	0.5
Noordenveld	0.5
Noordoostpolder	0.5
Noordwijkerhout	0.5
Nunspeet	0.5
Oirschot	0.5
Oldenzaal	0.5
Ooststellingwerf	0.5
Oostzaan	0.5
Opsterland	0.5
Oss	0.5
Ouder-Amstel	0.5
Pekela	0.5
Scherpenzeel	0.5
Schijndel	0.5
Schinnen	0.5
Schouwen-Duiveland	0.5
Sittard-Geleen	0.5
Smallingerland	0.5
Son en Breugel	0.5
Steenwijkerland	0.5
Teylingen	0.5
Vaals	0.5
Veghel	0.5
Vianen	0.5
Vlissingen	0.5
Waddinxveen	0.5
Wageningen	0.5
Weesp	0.5
Weststellingwerf	0.5
Westvoorne	0.5
Winterswijk	0.5
Woensdrecht	0.5
Woerden	0.5
Wormerland	0.5
Zevenaar	0.5
Zwartewaterland	0.5
Baarle-Nassau	0.6
Barneveld	0.6
Bedum	0.6
Beesel	0.6
Berkelland	0.6
Binnenmaas	0.6
Boekel	0.6
Borger-Odoorn	0.6
Boxmeer	0.6
Bronckhorst	0.6
Cranendonck	0.6
Dantumadiel	0.6
Deurne	0.6
Dinkelland	0.6
Dongeradeel	0.6
Ede	0.6
Epe	0.6
Franekeradeel	0.6
De Friese Meren	0.6
Gemert-Bakel	0.6
Gennep	0.6
Goeree-Overflakkee	0.6
Goes	0.6
Groesbeek	0.6
Halderberge	0.6
Hardenberg	0.6
Heerde	0.6
Hengelo (O.)	0.6
Hof van Twente	0.6
Laarbeek	0.6
Leek	0.6
Leerdam	0.6
Leeuwarden	0.6
Leudal	0.6
Losser	0.6
Olst-Wijhe	0.6
Oude IJsselstreek	0.6
Pijnacker-Nootdorp	0.6
Raalte	0.6
Renswoude	0.6
Rhenen	0.6
Roerdalen	0.6
De Ronde Venen	0.6
Rucphen	0.6
Simpelveld	0.6
Slochteren	0.6
Someren	0.6
Stadskanaal	0.6
Stein (L.)	0.6
Stichtse Vecht	0.6
Terneuzen	0.6
Tytsjerksteradiel	0.6
Venray	0.6
Vlagtwedde	0.6
Voerendaal	0.6
Voorst	0.6
Werkendam	0.6
Westerveld	0.6
Woudrichem	0.6
Zeevang	0.6
Zuidplas	0.6
Ameland	0.7
Appingedam	0.7
Beek (L.)	0.7
Bunschoten	0.7
Echt-Susteren	0.7
Eemnes	0.7
Haaren	0.7
Hollands Kroon	0.7
Kapelle	0.7
Korendijk	0.7
Landerd	0.7
Langedijk	0.7
Lingewaard	0.7
Maasdriel	0.7
De Marne	0.7
Medemblik	0.7
Moerdijk	0.7
Montfoort	0.7
Neder-Betuwe	0.7
Nijkerk	0.7
Opmeer	0.7
Peel en Maas	0.7
Schagen	0.7
Sint-Michielsgestel	0.7
Sluis	0.7
Steenbergen	0.7
Tholen	0.7
Tubbergen	0.7
Veere	0.7
Waalwijk	0.7
De Wolden	0.7
Zaltbommel	0.7
Zoeterwoude	0.7
Aalsmeer	0.8
Bernheze	0.8
Borsele	0.8
Bunnik	0.8
Dalfsen	0.8
Eemsmond	0.8
Geldermalsen	0.8
Hilvarenbeek	0.8
Horst aan de Maas	0.8
Krimpenerwaard	0.8
Loppersum	0.8
Marum	0.8
Montferland	0.8
Oldebroek	0.8
Onderbanken	0.8
Oudewater	0.8
Staphorst	0.8
S�dwest-Frysl�n	0.8
Texel	0.8
Twenterand	0.8
West Maas en Waal	0.8
Westland	0.8
Bodegraven-Reeuwijk	0.9
Drimmelen	0.9
Eijsden-Margraten	0.9
Haarlemmerliede en Spaarnwoude	0.9
Menameradiel	0.9
Neerijnen	0.9
Noord-Beveland	0.9
Nuth	0.9
Overbetuwe	0.9
Sint Anthonis	0.9
Waterland	0.9
Wierden	0.9
Zundert	0.9
Achtkarspelen	1
Alphen-Chaam	1
het Bildt	1
Buren	1
Drechterland	1
Gulpen-Wittem	1
Koggenland	1
Reusel-De Mierden	1
Strijen	1
Ten Boer	1.1
Grootegast	1.1
Kollumerland en Nieuwkruisland	1.1
Nieuwkoop	1.1
Reimerswaal	1.1
Beemster	1.2
Giessenlanden	1.2
Kaag en Braassem	1.2
Lopik	1.2
Molenwaard	1.2
Winsum	1.2
Zederik	1.2
Ferwerderadiel	1.3
Nederweert	1.7
Zuidhorn	1.9
Cromstrijen	2.1
Aalburg	2.4
Littenseradiel	3.5

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?