High quality of life today still comes at the expense of future generations

The concept of well-being relates to our quality of life ‘here and now’ and the extent to which this is achieved at the expense of the well-being of future generations, or of people living elsewhere in the world. Well-being thus concerns both people who live in the Netherlands today (‘here and now’), future generations (‘later’) and people in other countries around the world (‘elsewhere’).

Most people in the Netherlands are satisfied with their lives

Most people in the Netherlands are satisfied with the various aspects of their lives, such as work, leisure and housing. In 2024, 85 percent of Dutch people scored their life with a 7 out of 10 or higher. Trust in other people is high and increasing. Trust in institutions, such as the judiciary and the police, is also high. It was slightly higher in 2024 than it was in 2023. Material well-being is generally high and continues to rise. Household disposable incomes and individual consumption per capita are among the highest in the European Union (EU).

An abundance of jobs, but they pay less well than before

An increasing share of the population aged 15 to 75 is employed, while the unemployment rate and unused labour potential are falling. Fewer people are worried about the possibility of losing their job. But while the demand for workers continues to be high, this is not reflected in the wages that workers receive. After adjusting for inflation, workers’ average hourly wages have not increased since 2009. In 2023, the average hourly wage was actually lower than it was in 2009. The proportion of income earned from labour is falling, while company profits make up an increasing share.

Housing shortage

Renting or buying a home is becoming increasingly expensive, and housing costs are relatively high. However, the percentage of total household income spent on these is falling. The tightness in the housing market is reflected in the rising number of young adults who still live with their parents.

Earning power of the Dutch economy declines

The total amount of physical capital (such as machinery and buildings) and knowledge capital per hour worked has been falling gradually over the past decade, but no downward trend can yet be identified. Investment is also falling. Relative to GDP, investments in tangible fixed assets and in research and development (R&D) remain flat, while investment in ICT and in civil engineering projects is falling. By European standards, the level of investment in the Netherlands is average or low. The economy is still growing, but mainly because people in the Netherlands are working longer hours. Labour productivity growth has been falling for some time, and this continued in 2023 and 2024.

Pressure on the natural environment still high despite slight improvement
Pressure on nature remains high despite slight improvements with respect to nitrogen-based pollution and biodiversity. Over 70% of nature in the Netherlands is affected by excessive levels of nitrogen compounds. In addition, only a small proportion of protected surface water meets biological and chemical quality requirements. Many bird populations are in decline, as are mammal, reptile and butterfly numbers. Other species are faring better, such as those that live in saltwater and in rivers, lakes and canals.

Welfare state is feeling the strain

The viability of the Netherlands’ welfare state is feeling the strain and the quality of its institutions is declining. All sectors are suffering from a shortage of workers. The housing shortage is also growing: ABF Research estimates that the shortage was around 400 thousand homes in 2024. The viability of our pension system and of the welfare state being challenged as our population ages. Trust in institutions is relatively high, but trust in the effectiveness of public administration and the rule of law is declining. However, the quality of public institutions remains high compared to other countries.

Well-being ‘elsewhere’

Imports of fossil fuels are now falling, and so is the amount of land needed worldwide to produce consumer products for the Netherlands. Importing goods into the Netherlands creates economic benefits in other countries, such as employment and income. Those benefits mainly accrue to other prosperous countries.

The eighth edition of the Monitor of Well-being and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) was presented by CBS to the House of Representatives on 21 May 2025 (Accountability Day). The monitor is published annually at the request of the government, and is discussed in the Dutch House of Representatives during the Accountability Debate. The government will also comment on the results. Statistics Netherlands (CBS) reports on progress on the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and changes in well-being together.

The English-language version of the Monitor of Well-being will be published in July.