Dutch government deficit rises to 8 billion euros in first half of 2026

The Dutch government's budget deficit rose to 8 billion euros in the first half of this year, Statistics Netherlands reported. That marks the largest deficit for the first six months of a year since 2021, when the country was dealing with the coronavirus pandemic. The deficit stood at 5 billion euros during the same period last year.

The government spent 273 billion euros in the first six months of the year, a 5 percent increase from the same period last year. Spending on social benefits, which accounted for nearly half of the total, rose by 8 billion euros.

The cost of running the government, including salaries and purchases of goods and services, increased by 5 percent to 92 billion euros. The Netherlands also paid 2 billion euros more to the European Union.

Government revenue also increased, but at a slower pace than spending. The state collected 265 billion euros, up 4 percent from the first half of 2025. The increase was mainly driven by higher receipts from value-added tax (VAT) and payroll and income taxes. Revenue from corporate tax, which is levied on company profits, fell by 1 billion euros to 28 billion euros.

As a share of the economy, the deficit stood at 1.9 percent, remaining below the limit agreed upon by European Union member states.

Government debt stood at 524 billion euros, unchanged from the end of 2025. At 43.7 percent of gross domestic product (GDP), the debt ratio remained well below the maximum agreed upon within the European Union. The ratio nevertheless declined from the end of 2025 as the economy grew.