Decentralised authorities; EMU balance, 2014-2016 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 to the European Commission the data on the balance of their government every six months. A deficit may not exceed 3 % 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 standard for the deficits of the joint municipalities, provinces and water boards, respectively. This table shows the evolution of the budgeted government balance of local and regional authorities in the Netherlands. The data in the table have been compiled on the basis of the data in the EMU survey of local authorities. These are raw source data from the reporters concerned that have not been analysed or edited and are not integrated into the National Accounts. However, the data has been raised by CBS for non-response if necessary. Only for the financial year 2015 is this table, in addition to the budgeted EMU balance, also the macro standard for the EMU balance for that year and the difference between the budgeted balance and the standard. A negative number 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 for 2014-2016. Status of the figures: The figures in this table are final. Changes as of 20 January 2016: Not applicable. When will there be new figures? No longer applicable. This table is followed by local authorities; EMU balance, 2014-2016 budget. See paragraph 3.