As of Jan. 1, 2018, the Netherlands has 380 municipalities, 8 fewer than a year earlier. In 2007, the Netherlands still had 443 municipalities. In Friesland, South Holland and North Holland, the average area of municipalities increased proportionally the most in the period 2007-2017. That reports CBS on the basis of new figures.
A total of 6 municipal redivisions took place in 2018. These involved 14 municipalities, 11 of which were dissolved. On January 1, 2018, the new municipalities of Midden-Groningen, Westerwolde, also in Groningen, and Waadhoeke, in Friesland, will be formed. When municipalities merge entirely into another municipality, one existing municipal name remains unchanged, which is the case of Rijnwaarden and Zevenaar in Gelderland (becomes Zevenaar) and Leeuwarderadeel, which becomes part of Leeuwarden. That a municipality is split up and subsumed into another municipality is less common. This happens with Littenseradiel, which will merge into Leeuwarden in 2018, Súdwest-Fryslân and the new municipality of Waadhoeke.
Municipality area increased the most in Friesland over last decade
In Friesland, the average area of a municipality increased proportionally the most in the period 2007-2017 (29 percent), followed by South Holland (28 percent) and North Holland (27 percent). During this period, the average population size of municipalities proportionally increased the most in North Holland (37 percent), South Holland (36 percent) and Friesland (30 percent). In addition to reclassifications, population size is also affected by birth, death and migration. In the period 1997-2007, the average population size and area of municipalities proportionally increased the most in Drenthe and Overijssel.
Westervoort municipality with smallest area
In 2017, Flevoland is the province with the highest average area (40 205 hectares) and the highest average number of inhabitants per municipality (67 970). The municipality with the largest surface area is Súdwest-Fryslân. It has been this municipality since its creation in 2011. Westervoort in Gelderland has the smallest area (784 hectares).
Municipal redivisions in 2019
Nine redivisions are planned for Jan. 1, 2019, which will involve about one in 10 Dutch municipalities. Groningen and South Holland will be most affected.
