Germany vs Netherlands development indicators, 2024

Indicator	Germany, Value	Netherlands, Value	Germany, Rank	Netherlands, Rank	Germany as % of Netherlands
Current account balance (% of GDP)	5.73	9.92	18	10	57.7 %
Exports of goods and services (% of GDP)	42.1	84.1	53	11	50 %
Foreign direct investment, net inflows (% of GDP)	1.02	-1.1	73	101
GDP per capita (current US$)	55,800	68,219	17	12	81.8 %
GDP per capita, PPP (current international US$)	72,300	84,218	18	11	85.8 %
Imports of goods and services (% of GDP)	38.2	72	75	20	53.1 %
Inflation, consumer prices (annual %)	2.26	3.35	103	65	67.4 %
Net migration	36,954	121,628	29	17	30.4 %
Population, total	83,510,950	17,994,237	19	71	464 %

Demography and Health

Germany and the Netherlands show notable differences in demographic and health indicators. For birth rates, Germany has a crude birth rate of 8.3 per 1,000 people, slightly lower than the Netherlands at 9.2. Conversely, Germany’s crude death rate stands at 12.3, significantly higher than the Netherlands’ rate of 9.5, indicating an aging population and potential challenges in demographic balance. Life expectancy reflects similar trends, with Germany at 80.5 years and the Netherlands boasting a higher life expectancy of 81.9 years. Both nations share a concerning under-5 mortality rate; Germany has 3.7 per 1,000 live births while the Netherlands reports a slightly higher rate of 4. This can be seen as a reflection of healthcare efficiency and social factors affecting child health.

Economy

In terms of economic performance, the Netherlands outshines Germany regarding key metrics such as GDP per capita, which is $68,219 in the Netherlands compared to Germany's $55,800. When considering GDP per capita at purchasing power parity (PPP), the gap widens further, with the Netherlands at $84,218 against Germany's $72,300. Both countries exhibit robust economic dynamics; however, the Netherlands demonstrates exceptional performance with high exports, constituting 84.1% of its GDP against Germany’s 42.1%. This indicates a heavily trade-oriented economy in the Netherlands, likely benefiting from its strategic geographic location. Furthermore, Germany has a lower inflation rate of 2.3% compared to the Netherlands' 3.3%, which could indicate more stable pricing conditions.

Trade and Investment

Germany leads in high-technology exports, showcasing a total of $255.7 billion, significantly higher than the Netherlands’ $111 billion. This positions Germany as a front-runner in technology-driven trade. Furthermore, the country is ranked first for patent applications, highlighting its innovation capabilities. In terms of foreign direct investment (FDI), Germany shows positive net inflows at 1% of GDP, while the Netherlands has negative net inflows of -1.1%, indicating potential challenges in attracting foreign investments. The current account balance also reflects economic health, with Germany at 5.7% compared to the Netherlands’ 9.9%, suggesting that both nations maintain strong external trade positions.

Governance and Institutions

Governance structures show distinct contrasts between the two nations. In the realm of effectiveness, the Netherlands scores higher on government effectiveness (1.6) compared to Germany (1.2). This reflects a perception of better service delivery and administrative capabilities in the Netherlands. On corruption control, the Netherlands again fares better (1.9) compared to Germany (1.7). The political stability and absence of violence indicator also shows a higher rating for the Netherlands (0.7) than Germany (0.6), potentially contributing to more stable economic conditions. Regulatory quality is another area where the Netherlands excels with a score of 1.8, indicating a more favorable regulatory environment for businesses compared to Germany's 1.5.

Infrastructure and Technology

Germany excels in logistics performance with a score of 4.3, indicating a highly efficient trade and transport-related infrastructure. The Netherlands follows closely with a score of 4.2, suggesting strong infrastructure but slightly less performance than Germany. Both nations invest significantly in research and development (R&D), with Germany at 3.1% of GDP compared to the Netherlands' 2.3%. This focus on R&D is critical for sustaining economic competitiveness and innovation, particularly in high-tech sectors.

Environment and Sustainability

In terms of environmental sustainability, both countries display commitment but face distinct challenges. Germany's renewable energy consumption is higher at 17.6%, compared to the Netherlands at 12.2%. However, Germany has higher total greenhouse gas emissions per capita at 8.1 tons of CO2 equivalent compared to the Netherlands’ 8.4 tons, which highlights differing energy profiles and consumption patterns. Water stress is notably higher in Germany with a 35.4% freshwater withdrawal ratio compared to the Netherlands at 16.1%, indicating that Germany may face more significant challenges in managing its water resources sustainably.