Netherlands vs Portugal development indicators, 2024

Demography and Health

The Netherlands has a total population of approximately 18 million people, while Portugal's population stands at around 10.7 million. In terms of birth rates, the Netherlands has a crude birth rate of 9.2 per 1,000 people, ranking 36th globally, whereas Portugal has a slightly lower birth rate of 8.1, positioned at 59th. The death rate in the Netherlands is 9.5 per 1,000 people, giving it a higher ranking (62) compared to Portugal's 11.2 (ranked 38). Life expectancy at birth in the Netherlands is 81.9 years, closely trailing Portugal's 82.3 years, indicating a robust healthcare system in both countries. The under-5 mortality rate is slightly lower in the Netherlands, at 4 deaths per 1,000 live births, compared to Portugal's 3.2. Notably, both nations have a low prevalence of undernourishment at 2.5%, highlighting food security. However, the Netherlands has higher domestic general government health expenditure per capita (PPP) at $5,193 compared to Portugal's $2,921, suggesting a more substantial investment in health services.

Economy

The Dutch economy is notably stronger as indicated by GDP per capita figures, which stand at $68,219 compared to Portugal's $28,844. On an adjusted basis for purchasing power parity (PPP), the Netherlands also leads with a GDP per capita of $84,218 versus Portugal's $50,617. The Netherlands excels in high-technology exports, generating $111 billion, a substantial lead over Portugal's meager $4.2 billion. In terms of inflation, the Netherlands experiences a consumer price inflation rate of 3.3%, while Portugal has a lower rate of 2.4%. Employment is steadier in the Netherlands with an unemployment rate of just 3.5%, compared to Portugal’s higher rate of 6.5%. Moreover, the Netherlands ranks 31st globally for exports of goods and services as a percentage of GDP at 84.1%, in contrast to Portugal's 46.5%, which ranks 80th.

Trade and Investment

In terms of trade dynamics, the Netherlands enjoys a favorable balance reflected in its current account balance, which is at 9.9% of GDP, ranking 7th globally, while Portugal's is only 2.2% (ranked 35th). The Netherlands is also less attractive for foreign direct investment, reporting negative net inflows of -1.1% of GDP, significantly contrasted by Portugal's 4.3% (ranked 33rd). The imports of goods and services as a percentage of GDP illustrate another disparity, with the Netherlands at 72% versus Portugal’s 44.7%. Such indicators suggest that the Netherlands, while economically robust, is less reliant on foreign capital compared to Portugal which has a growing investment landscape.

Governance and Institutions

The Netherlands is also notable for its governance, scoring higher on various metrics. The Control of Corruption index shows the Netherlands at 1.9, ranking 14th globally, while Portugal lags with 0.7, placed 45th. Government effectiveness is similarly higher in the Netherlands, scoring 1.6 versus Portugal’s score of 1. The level of political stability and absence of violence/terrorism is equivalent in both countries at 0.7. However, regulatory quality in the Netherlands ranks significantly better at 1.8 compared to Portugal's 0.8, indicating a more potent regulatory framework. The rule of law also reflects a similar trend with the Netherlands at 1.6 (17th) and Portugal at 1.1 (41st).

Infrastructure and Technology

When analyzing infrastructure, the Netherlands scores impressively on the logistics performance index, achieving a score of 4.2 (2nd globally) compared to Portugal’s 3.6 (13th). This indicates superior trade and transport-related infrastructure in the Netherlands. The technology adoption rate is also significant; with 97% of the population using the internet in the Netherlands, compared to 85.8% in Portugal, which suggests greater digital engagement and access to technology in the Netherlands.

Environment and Sustainability

In terms of sustainability, Portugal has a clear advantage with renewable energy consumption representing 32.3% of total final energy consumption, compared to the Netherlands’ 12.2%. This indicates a stronger commitment to renewable energy sources in Portugal. The water stress levels are close, with the Netherlands at 16.1% and Portugal at 12.3%, suggesting both countries are managing their freshwater resources, albeit with an edge to Portugal in terms of availability. Nevertheless, the Netherlands produces higher greenhouse gas emissions per capita at 8.4 tons of CO2 equivalent versus Portugal's 5 tons, highlighting areas where the Netherlands can improve its environmental impact.