Netherlands vs Slovakia development indicators, 2024

Demography and Health

In terms of demographics, the Netherlands has a total population of approximately 18 million, compared to Slovakia's 5.4 million. The birth rate in the Netherlands stands at 9.2 per 1,000 people, slightly higher than Slovakia's rate of 9 per 1,000. Conversely, the crude death rate is 9.5 for the Netherlands, while Slovakia has a lower rate at 10 per 1,000. Life expectancy at birth is better in the Netherlands, with 81.9 years, compared to Slovakia's 78 years. Furthermore, the under-5 mortality rate reflects similar trends, with the Netherlands at 4 per 1,000 live births and Slovakia at 6.1. However, the Netherlands has a lower prevalence of undernourishment, at 2.5%, compared to 3.6% in Slovakia, indicating better food security and health outcomes.

Economy

The Netherlands boasts a significantly higher GDP per capita, at $68,219 compared to Slovakia's $26,148. In terms of purchasing power parity (PPP), the Netherlands again leads with $84,218, while Slovakia's figure is $47,181. The country has a substantial focus on high-technology exports, with $111 billion in 2023, which places it fifth globally, while Slovakia's high-tech exports are much smaller at $10.1 billion, ranking 41st. Inflation is higher in the Netherlands at 3.3% compared to Slovakia's 2.8%. The unemployment rate is significantly lower in the Netherlands at 3.5% versus Slovakia’s 5.8%, indicating a more robust job market.

Trade and Investment

When examining trade, the Netherlands has 84.1% of its GDP derived from exports of goods and services, while Slovakia is slightly higher at 85.2%. However, Slovakia has a higher percentage of imports relative to GDP at 85% versus 72% for the Netherlands. Foreign direct investment shows the Netherlands struggling with -1.1% net inflows while Slovakia shows a positive figure of 2.5%. The current account balance also favors the Netherlands at 9.9%, while Slovakia reports a deficit of -2.7%.

Governance and Institutions

Government effectiveness in the Netherlands is notably higher, with a score of 1.6 compared to Slovakia's 0.2. The regulatory environment is more favorable in the Netherlands as well, with a score of 1.8 against Slovakia's 0.6. The level of corruption control is also more robust in the Netherlands, showing a score of 1.9 compared to 0.3 in Slovakia. The political stability in both countries is relatively stable, with the Netherlands at 0.7 and Slovakia at 0.6. However, the Netherlands showcases a better rule of law at 1.6 against Slovakia's 0.6 and is ranked higher for military expenditure, indicating strong governance practices.

Infrastructure and Technology

Infrastructure and technology performance is markedly superior in the Netherlands, indicated by a logistics performance index score of 4.2, which is significantly higher than Slovakia's 3.3. Investment in research and development as a percentage of GDP stands at 2.3% for the Netherlands and only 1% for Slovakia. This difference underscores the Netherlands' emphasis on innovation and technological advancement, which is critical for sustaining economic growth.

Environment and Sustainability

In terms of environmental sustainability, the Netherlands has a renewable energy consumption rate of 12.2%, which is lower than Slovakia's 17.9%. However, the level of water stress illustrates a concerning disparity, as the Netherlands withdraws 16.1% of its available freshwater resources compared to Slovakia's 2.4%, suggesting a greater concern over water management in the Netherlands. Both countries have similar greenhouse gas emissions per capita, with the Netherlands at 8.4 tons and Slovakia at 8.3 tons, highlighting comparable environmental challenges despite differences in other sustainability metrics.