Local authorities; EMU balance, budget 2018-2020

The government balance or EMU balance is an important indicator of the health of public finances within the European Union. The Maastricht Treaty stipulates that Member States must report to the European Commission the data on their government balance every six months. A deficit must not exceed 3 % of gross domestic product (GDP). In conjunction with this deficit limit for the entire government, agreements have been made in the Netherlands on a macro standard for the deficit of the municipalities, provinces and water boards together. This table shows the development of the budgeted government balance of the local government in the Netherlands. The data in the table were compiled on the basis of the data in the EMU survey of local authorities. This is raw source data from the relevant reporters that have not been analysed or edited and are not integrated into the National Accounts. However, the data has been raised by CBS if necessary for non-response. For the financial year 2019 only, in addition to the budgeted EMU balance, this table also shows the macro standard for the EMU balance for that year and the difference between the budgeted balance and the standard. A negative figure for the difference means that the estimated EMU balance exceeds the standard; a positive difference means that the balance remains below the norm. Data available from 2018 to 2020. Status of the figures: The figures in this table are final. Changes as of 27 January 2020: Not applicable. When are new figures coming? No longer applicable. This table is followed by local authorities; EMU balance, budget 2019-2021. See paragraph 3.