Local and regional authorities; EMU balance, 2020-2022 budget

The general government balance or EMU balance is an important indicator of the health of public finances within the European Union. The Maastricht Treaty requires Member States to report their government balance data to the European Commission every six months. It provides that a deficit may not exceed 3 per cent of gross domestic product (GDP). In connection with this deficit limit for the entire government, agreements have been made in the Netherlands on a macro norm for the deficit of the municipalities, provinces and water boards together. This table shows the evolution of the budgeted government balance of local and regional authorities in the Netherlands. The data in the table are compiled on the basis of the data in the EMU survey of local authorities. These are raw source data from the messagers concerned that have not been analysed or processed and are not integrated into the National Accounts. However, if necessary, the data have been raised by the CBS for non-response. Only for the financial year 2021, this table shows, in addition to the budgeted EMU balance, the macro standard for the EMU balance for that year and the difference between the budgeted balance and the standard. A negative figure at the difference means that the estimated EMU balance exceeds the standard; a positive difference means that the balance remains below the standard. Data available from 2020 to 2022. Status of the figures: The figures in this table are definitive. Changes as of 3 February 2022: Not applicable. When will there be new figures? No longer applicable. This table is followed by local authorities; EMU balance, 2021-2023 budget. See paragraph 3.