COUNTRIES · EUROPE AND CENTRAL ASIA
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Netherlands

Heat is 52% of the energy the Netherlands uses.

The Netherlands is a high-income country in Europe and Central Asia with 18.1 million people, most of them living in cities. Heat makes up 52% of the energy it uses, above the world average of about 47%.

Natural gas is the largest source of heat (65%), followed by oil (19%). Almost all of the heat, 91%, comes from coal, oil and gas. Electricity, apart from household heating, makes up 21% of energy use and is generated largely from fossil fuels (48%).

The country

Population18.1 million2025
GDP per capitaUS$ 73,7002025
Area41,500 km²2024
Urban population96%2025
Access to electricity100%2024
Access to clean cooking100%2024
Final energy use438 TWh2023

Where the energy goes

Final energy use in the Netherlands, 2023: 438 TWh.
Heat: 52%52%Electricity: 21%21%Transport: 27%27%
  • Heat52%
  • Electricity21%
  • Transport27%

Heat in five numbers

Heatshare of all final energy use52%
Fossil heatshare of heat that comes from coal, oil and gas91%
Natural gasthe largest single source of heat65%
Electricityshare of final energy use, excluding transport and household heating21%
Fossil electricityshare of electricity generated from coal, oil and gas48%

Heat is all fuel and district heating used in industry, buildings and agriculture, plus the electricity households use for heating, hot water and cooking. Electricity that becomes heat in offices and industry is counted as electricity, so the true heat share is somewhat higher. Fossil heat and the largest source are shares of the fuel and district heating part.

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