Urban area over the long-term in Netherlands
Netherlands: Urban area over the long-term was 4,359 km² per grid cell in 2025. ◆ Volatile
Latest (2025)
4,359 km² per grid cell
Change on year
up 0.7%
World rank
35th
of 202 countries
All-time high
4,359 km² per grid cell
in 2025
All-time low
1.51 km² per grid cell
in 1000
Years of data
108
1000–2025
Urban area over the long-term in Netherlands, 1000–2025
Source: HYDE (2025) – with minor processing by Our World in Data. Measured in km² per grid cell.
Analysis
In 2025, urban area over the long-term in Netherlands stood at 4,359 km² per grid cell. That is the highest value across all 108 years on record.
The figure is up 0.7% on the previous year and up 7.6% over ten years.
Over the whole period, urban area over the long-term in Netherlands peaked at 4,359 km² per grid cell in 2025 and was at its lowest, 1.51 km² per grid cell, in 1000.
Netherlands ranks 35th of 202 countries on this measure, in the top quarter.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Urban area over the long-term in Netherlands, year by year
| Year | km² per grid cell | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1000 | 1.51 km² per grid cell | — |
| 1100 | 3.56 km² per grid cell | +136.4% |
| 1200 | 8.31 km² per grid cell | +133.3% |
| 1300 | 23.31 km² per grid cell | +180.4% |
| 1400 | 14.31 km² per grid cell | -38.6% |
| 1500 | 39.21 km² per grid cell | +173.9% |
| 1600 | 91.54 km² per grid cell | +133.4% |
| 1700 | 165.2 km² per grid cell | +80.5% |
| 1710 | 172.52 km² per grid cell | +4.4% |
| 1720 | 180.04 km² per grid cell | +4.4% |
| 1730 | 187.8 km² per grid cell | +4.3% |
| 1740 | 195.78 km² per grid cell | +4.3% |
| 1750 | 204 km² per grid cell | +4.2% |
| 1760 | 212.47 km² per grid cell | +4.2% |
| 1770 | 221.2 km² per grid cell | +4.1% |
| 1780 | 230.19 km² per grid cell | +4.1% |
| 1790 | 239.46 km² per grid cell | +4.0% |
| 1800 | 249.01 km² per grid cell | +4.0% |
| 1810 | 258.85 km² per grid cell | +4.0% |
| 1820 | 268.99 km² per grid cell | +3.9% |
| 1830 | 301.18 km² per grid cell | +12.0% |
| 1840 | 337.78 km² per grid cell | +12.2% |
| 1850 | 372.76 km² per grid cell | +10.4% |
| 1860 | 413.6 km² per grid cell | +11.0% |
| 1870 | 460.16 km² per grid cell | +11.3% |
| 1880 | 528.52 km² per grid cell | +14.9% |
| 1890 | 609.01 km² per grid cell | +15.2% |
| 1900 | 706.65 km² per grid cell | +16.0% |
| 1910 | 831.27 km² per grid cell | +17.6% |
| 1920 | 981.98 km² per grid cell | +18.1% |
| 1930 | 1,162 km² per grid cell | +18.3% |
| 1940 | 1,337 km² per grid cell | +15.0% |
| 1950 | 1,540 km² per grid cell | +15.2% |
| 1951 | 1,570 km² per grid cell | +2.0% |
| 1952 | 1,600 km² per grid cell | +1.9% |
| 1953 | 1,631 km² per grid cell | +1.9% |
| 1954 | 1,664 km² per grid cell | +2.0% |
| 1955 | 1,697 km² per grid cell | +2.0% |
| 1956 | 1,730 km² per grid cell | +2.0% |
| 1957 | 1,765 km² per grid cell | +2.0% |
| 1958 | 1,801 km² per grid cell | +2.0% |
| 1959 | 1,837 km² per grid cell | +2.0% |
| 1960 | 1,875 km² per grid cell | +2.0% |
| 1961 | 1,910 km² per grid cell | +1.9% |
| 1962 | 1,944 km² per grid cell | +1.8% |
| 1963 | 1,979 km² per grid cell | +1.8% |
| 1964 | 2,013 km² per grid cell | +1.7% |
| 1965 | 2,047 km² per grid cell | +1.7% |
| 1966 | 2,081 km² per grid cell | +1.7% |
| 1967 | 2,114 km² per grid cell | +1.6% |
| 1968 | 2,147 km² per grid cell | +1.6% |
| 1969 | 2,179 km² per grid cell | +1.5% |
| 1970 | 2,211 km² per grid cell | +1.5% |
| 1971 | 2,245 km² per grid cell | +1.5% |
| 1972 | 2,281 km² per grid cell | +1.6% |
| 1973 | 2,315 km² per grid cell | +1.5% |
| 1974 | 2,350 km² per grid cell | +1.5% |
| 1975 | 2,383 km² per grid cell | +1.4% |
| 1976 | 2,416 km² per grid cell | +1.4% |
| 1977 | 2,448 km² per grid cell | +1.3% |
| 1978 | 2,479 km² per grid cell | +1.3% |
| 1979 | 2,509 km² per grid cell | +1.2% |
| 1980 | 2,537 km² per grid cell | +1.1% |
| 1981 | 2,566 km² per grid cell | +1.1% |
| 1982 | 2,596 km² per grid cell | +1.2% |
| 1983 | 2,625 km² per grid cell | +1.1% |
| 1984 | 2,655 km² per grid cell | +1.1% |
| 1985 | 2,687 km² per grid cell | +1.2% |
| 1986 | 2,720 km² per grid cell | +1.2% |
| 1987 | 2,755 km² per grid cell | +1.3% |
| 1988 | 2,791 km² per grid cell | +1.3% |
| 1989 | 2,828 km² per grid cell | +1.3% |
| 1990 | 2,865 km² per grid cell | +1.3% |
| 1991 | 2,913 km² per grid cell | +1.7% |
| 1992 | 2,972 km² per grid cell | +2.0% |
| 1993 | 3,031 km² per grid cell | +2.0% |
| 1994 | 3,090 km² per grid cell | +1.9% |
| 1995 | 3,149 km² per grid cell | +1.9% |
| 1996 | 3,207 km² per grid cell | +1.9% |
| 1997 | 3,265 km² per grid cell | +1.8% |
| 1998 | 3,321 km² per grid cell | +1.7% |
| 1999 | 3,378 km² per grid cell | +1.7% |
| 2000 | 3,433 km² per grid cell | +1.6% |
| 2001 | 3,482 km² per grid cell | +1.4% |
| 2002 | 3,530 km² per grid cell | +1.4% |
| 2003 | 3,578 km² per grid cell | +1.4% |
| 2004 | 3,627 km² per grid cell | +1.4% |
| 2005 | 3,675 km² per grid cell | +1.3% |
| 2006 | 3,719 km² per grid cell | +1.2% |
| 2007 | 3,763 km² per grid cell | +1.2% |
| 2008 | 3,807 km² per grid cell | +1.2% |
| 2009 | 3,851 km² per grid cell | +1.2% |
| 2010 | 3,895 km² per grid cell | +1.2% |
| 2011 | 3,926 km² per grid cell | +0.8% |
| 2012 | 3,957 km² per grid cell | +0.8% |
| 2013 | 3,988 km² per grid cell | +0.8% |
| 2014 | 4,019 km² per grid cell | +0.8% |
| 2015 | 4,050 km² per grid cell | +0.8% |
| 2016 | 4,081 km² per grid cell | +0.8% |
| 2017 | 4,113 km² per grid cell | +0.8% |
| 2018 | 4,145 km² per grid cell | +0.8% |
| 2019 | 4,176 km² per grid cell | +0.8% |
| 2020 | 4,208 km² per grid cell | +0.8% |
| 2021 | 4,238 km² per grid cell | +0.7% |
| 2022 | 4,268 km² per grid cell | +0.7% |
| 2023 | 4,298 km² per grid cell | +0.7% |
| 2024 | 4,329 km² per grid cell | +0.7% |
| 2025 | 4,359 km² per grid cell | +0.7% |
Netherlands compared with similar countries
- Netherlands's 4,359 km² per grid cell is above the median for high income countries, which is 1,007 km² per grid cell, 4.3× the median. (68 countries reporting)
- Netherlands's 4,359 km² per grid cell is above the median for Europe & Central Asia, which is 1,372 km² per grid cell, 3.2× the median. (50 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where Urban area over the long-term in Netherlands changed far more than this series normally does. A large move can be a real event or a change in how the figure was measured — the source note below says who published it.
| Year | Change | From | To |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1300 | +180.4% | 8.31 km² per grid cell | 23.31 km² per grid cell |
| 1500 | +173.9% | 14.31 km² per grid cell | 39.21 km² per grid cell |
| 1100 | +136.4% | 1.51 km² per grid cell | 3.56 km² per grid cell |
| 1600 | +133.4% | 39.21 km² per grid cell | 91.54 km² per grid cell |
| 1200 | +133.3% | 3.56 km² per grid cell | 8.31 km² per grid cell |
| 1700 | +80.5% | 91.54 km² per grid cell | 165.2 km² per grid cell |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1000s | 1.51 km² per grid cell | 1.51 km² per grid cell | 1.51 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1100s | 3.56 km² per grid cell | 3.56 km² per grid cell | 3.56 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1200s | 8.31 km² per grid cell | 8.31 km² per grid cell | 8.31 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1300s | 23.31 km² per grid cell | 23.31 km² per grid cell | 23.31 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1400s | 14.31 km² per grid cell | 14.31 km² per grid cell | 14.31 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1500s | 39.21 km² per grid cell | 39.21 km² per grid cell | 39.21 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1600s | 91.54 km² per grid cell | 91.54 km² per grid cell | 91.54 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1700s | 165.2 km² per grid cell | 165.2 km² per grid cell | 165.2 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1710s | 172.52 km² per grid cell | 172.52 km² per grid cell | 172.52 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1720s | 180.04 km² per grid cell | 180.04 km² per grid cell | 180.04 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1730s | 187.8 km² per grid cell | 187.8 km² per grid cell | 187.8 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1740s | 195.78 km² per grid cell | 195.78 km² per grid cell | 195.78 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1750s | 204 km² per grid cell | 204 km² per grid cell | 204 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1760s | 212.47 km² per grid cell | 212.47 km² per grid cell | 212.47 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1770s | 221.2 km² per grid cell | 221.2 km² per grid cell | 221.2 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1780s | 230.19 km² per grid cell | 230.19 km² per grid cell | 230.19 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1790s | 239.46 km² per grid cell | 239.46 km² per grid cell | 239.46 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1800s | 249.01 km² per grid cell | 249.01 km² per grid cell | 249.01 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1810s | 258.85 km² per grid cell | 258.85 km² per grid cell | 258.85 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1820s | 268.99 km² per grid cell | 268.99 km² per grid cell | 268.99 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1830s | 301.18 km² per grid cell | 301.18 km² per grid cell | 301.18 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1840s | 337.78 km² per grid cell | 337.78 km² per grid cell | 337.78 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1850s | 372.76 km² per grid cell | 372.76 km² per grid cell | 372.76 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1860s | 413.6 km² per grid cell | 413.6 km² per grid cell | 413.6 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1870s | 460.16 km² per grid cell | 460.16 km² per grid cell | 460.16 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1880s | 528.52 km² per grid cell | 528.52 km² per grid cell | 528.52 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1890s | 609.01 km² per grid cell | 609.01 km² per grid cell | 609.01 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1900s | 706.65 km² per grid cell | 706.65 km² per grid cell | 706.65 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1910s | 831.27 km² per grid cell | 831.27 km² per grid cell | 831.27 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1920s | 981.98 km² per grid cell | 981.98 km² per grid cell | 981.98 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1930s | 1,162 km² per grid cell | 1,162 km² per grid cell | 1,162 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1940s | 1,337 km² per grid cell | 1,337 km² per grid cell | 1,337 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1950s | 1,684 km² per grid cell | 1,540 km² per grid cell | 1,837 km² per grid cell | 10 |
| 1960s | 2,029 km² per grid cell | 1,875 km² per grid cell | 2,179 km² per grid cell | 10 |
| 1970s | 2,364 km² per grid cell | 2,211 km² per grid cell | 2,509 km² per grid cell | 10 |
| 1980s | 2,676 km² per grid cell | 2,537 km² per grid cell | 2,828 km² per grid cell | 10 |
| 1990s | 3,119 km² per grid cell | 2,865 km² per grid cell | 3,378 km² per grid cell | 10 |
| 2000s | 3,647 km² per grid cell | 3,433 km² per grid cell | 3,851 km² per grid cell | 10 |
| 2010s | 4,035 km² per grid cell | 3,895 km² per grid cell | 4,176 km² per grid cell | 10 |
| 2020s | 4,283 km² per grid cell | 4,208 km² per grid cell | 4,359 km² per grid cell | 6 |
Countries ranked near Netherlands
More reference data data for Netherlands
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Manure applied to Soils 1.74 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Manure left on Pasture 0.5851 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - IPCC Agriculture 3.79 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Crop Residues 0.1102 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Agricultural Soils 3.79 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure applied to Soils 5.83 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure Management 3.59 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure left on Pasture 2.93 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - IPCC Agriculture 18.47 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Crop Residues 0.6002 (2050)
Frequently asked questions
- What is urban area over the long-term in Netherlands?
- Urban area over the long-term in Netherlands was 4,359 km² per grid cell in 2025, according to HYDE (2025) – with minor processing by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest urban area over the long-term recorded in Netherlands?
- The highest recorded value was 4,359 km² per grid cell in 2025.
- What is the lowest urban area over the long-term recorded in Netherlands?
- The lowest recorded value was 1.51 km² per grid cell in 1000.
- How does Netherlands rank for urban area over the long-term?
- Netherlands ranks 35th out of 202 countries with data for 2025.
- Is urban area over the long-term rising or falling in Netherlands?
- Over the last ten years it is up 7.6%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Netherlands data come from?
- The figures come from HYDE (2025) – with minor processing by Our World in Data, published as part of Urban area over the long-term. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
CSV · JSON — 108 observations, free to reuse under CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data).
About this data
Total built-up area of a country over time.