The provincial authorities in the north of the country and Zeeland spend much more per inhabitant on, for example, public transport and nature conservation than those in the Randstad. For example, expenditure in Groningen is four times higher than in North Holland, according to figures from Statistics Netherlands for 2021.
This is partly because the provinces in sparsely populated regions are usually responsible for public transport, while in the Randstad conurbation these tasks are often the responsibility of municipalities.
Another factor is that, for example, Friesland and Drenthe have few inhabitants, but are large. As a result, they have to maintain many nature areas; a task that lies with the province. For example, Drenthe spends ten times as much per inhabitant on nature management as South Holland.
Provincial expenditure is highest in Groningen, at 727 euros per inhabitant per year. That is four times as much as in North Holland (185 euros). In Friesland, Zeeland and Drenthe, the expenditure per person is almost 600 euros per year, while South Holland only just touches 200 euros.
The higher expenditures are matched by higher incomes. Groningen receives more than 700 euros per inhabitant per year. In North and South Holland that is about 200 euros. This does not mean that Groningen residents also pay the most tax. In many provinces, the majority of the income comes from the Provincial Fund, which is financed by the government.
The provincial tax – usually motor vehicle tax – is highest in Flevoland at an average of 131 euros per inhabitant per year. This is the lowest in South Holland: 78 euros per person.
