nietstructureel

Nietstructureel is a Dutch term used to describe elements, measures, or changes that do not alter the underlying structure, framework, or long-term capacity of a system. It stands in contrast to structureel (structural), which refers to reforms or features that change the fundamental organization, rules, or performance of an institution, economy, or policy.

In policy and economics, nietstructureel is commonly applied to distinguish temporary or discretionary measures from long-term reforms. Non-structural measures are typically designed to cushion cyclical fluctuations or achieve short-term objectives without changing the core design of a system. They are often easier to reverse than structureel changes, and their effects may be limited to specific sectors, time periods, or conditions.

Examples include temporary tax relief, one-off subsidies, short-term stimulus payments, or other time-limited interventions that do not modify the long-run rules or structure of the economy or public sector. While some measures labeled as non-structural can have lasting consequences, the intention behind the term is to indicate that the change is not part of a lasting reconfiguration of the system.

Orthography varies: many style guides prefer a hyphen, writing niet-structureel, though the closed form lectically appears in some texts. The concept is primarily used in Dutch-speaking contexts, such as the Netherlands and Flanders, in discussions of fiscal policy, public administration, and organizational reform.