Cultuur van Vrede
The Netherlands
NL
Population18.080.828 (2025)
Capital: Amsterdam; Parliament and government are located in The Hague
EU Member State: since 1 January 1958
Political system
The Netherlands is a parliamentary constitutional monarchy, with a prime minister serving as head of government and a monarch as head of state. Executive power is exercised by the Council of Ministers. Administratively, the country is divided into 12 provinces and 342 municipalities, as well as 21 regional water authorities (water boards), each governed by an executive board responsible for water management — a distinctive and historically significant part of Dutch governance.
In addition, the Kingdom of the Netherlands includes six Caribbean countries and territories, which are part of the Kingdom, but not members of the European Union.
Trade and Economy
The Netherlands is one of the strongest economies in the European Union, ranking third in GDP per capita at €48,900, significantly above the EU average of €37,600. The country contributes 6.3% of the EU’s total GDP, underscoring its vital role in the European and global economy.
Central Bureau of Statistics
> cbs.nl
United Nations
UNRIC
The United Nations Regional Information Centre (UNRIC) represents the UN Department of International Communications in Western Europe and works with partners, civil society, the media, public institutions, the academic community, the private sector, think tanks and the creative community. UNRIC also provides communications advice to UN entities in Brussels and works with the institutions of the European Union.
> unric.org
Sustainable Development Goals (SDG’s): 17 goals for a more sustainable world
An end to poverty, inequality, injustice and climate change. That is the core of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for the period 2015-2030. The Netherlands is working at home and abroad to achieve the goals.
> rijksoverheid.nl/onderwerpen/ontwikkelingshulp/internationale-afspraken-ontwikkelingshulp
Anna Pot
National Coordinator Sustainable Development Goals
The National Coordinator promotes national implementation of the SDGs in and by the Netherlands. The Coordinator works closely with other ministries and organisations within the central government, as well as with the broad SDG movement in the Netherlands, including companies, municipalities and provinces, NGOs, youth organisations, knowledge and educational institutions.
> rijksoverheid.nl/pot-anna
SDG Nederland
SDG Netherlands is the movement of everyone in the Netherlands, which contributes to the Sustainable Development Goals. We are more than 1,400 social organizations, youth groups, municipalities, financial institutions, educational and knowledge institutions and residents’ networks.
> sdgnederland.nl