Kingdom of the Netherlands-Netherlands : Selected Issues

Journal Issue

Volume/Issue:: 2017/78
Series:: IMF Staff Country Reports
Author(s):: International Monetary Fund. European Dept.
Publisher:: INTERNATIONAL MONETARY FUND
Published Date:: April 2017
DOI:: http://dx.doi.org/10.5089/9781475591507.002
ISBN:: 9781475591507
ISSN:: 1934-7685
Page:: 30

This Selected Issues paper focuses on a steady increase in current account surpluses in 'Surplus 3' countries-Germany, the Netherlands, and Switzerland-since the mid-1990s. In Germany and the Netherlands, nonfinancial corporations seem to be behind the rising surpluses. In these countries, increasing corporate profits have not been converted into dividends, keeping a lid on consumption. In Switzerland, household savings seem to explain the bulk of the current account surplus: both mandatory and voluntary savings have been on an increasing trend since 2000. Trending net contributions to pension funds since 2000 and rising equity contribution for housing purchases are likely drivers.

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Kingdom of the Netherlands—Netherlands: Selected Issues