Netherlands: general information about country, happiness index 2024

Table of Contents

World Happiness Report for Netherlands 2024

Overall Happiness Rank Netherlands: 6
Happiness Score Netherlands:7.319

Happiness is a subjective concept that has long been debated by philosophers, psychologists, and economists alike. However, in recent years, there has been a growing interest in quantifying happiness and using it as a measure of a nation’s overall well-being. This is where the concept of the Happiness Index comes into play.

What is the Happiness Index?

The Happiness Index is a measure that attempts to quantify the overall happiness and life satisfaction of a country’s population. It is based on the idea that traditional economic indicators, such as Gross Domestic Product (GDP), do not fully capture the overall well-being of a society. The Happiness Index takes into account various factors that contribute to an individual’s sense of happiness and life satisfaction, including social support, freedom to make life choices, healthy life expectancy, and perceptions of corruption.

How is the Happiness Index Calculated?

The Happiness Index is calculated through a combination of subjective and objective data. The primary source of data is the Gallup World Poll, which is a survey conducted in over 160 countries. The survey asks respondents to rate their overall life satisfaction on a scale of 0 to 10, with 0 being the worst possible life and 10 being the best possible life.

In addition to the life satisfaction score, the Happiness Index also takes into account the following factors:

GDP per capita: This is a measure of a country’s economic output and standard of living.
Social support: This factor measures the extent to which individuals have supportive relationships and love in their lives.
Healthy life expectancy: This is a measure of the number of years an individual is expected to live in good health.
Freedom to make life choices: This factor measures the extent to which individuals are able to make decisions about their lives without external constraints.
Generosity: This factor measures the extent to which individuals engage in charitable activities and donate to others.
Perceptions of corruption: This factor measures the extent to which individuals perceive their society to be free from corruption.

These factors are weighted and combined to produce an overall Happiness Index score for each country.

What Does the Happiness Index Affect?

The Happiness Index has significant implications for policymaking and societal well-being. Countries with higher Happiness Index scores are generally considered to have better overall quality of life and well-being for their citizens. This can have positive impacts on various aspects of society, including:

Economic productivity: Happier individuals tend to be more productive and engaged in their work, which can contribute to a country’s economic growth.
Public health: Higher levels of happiness and life satisfaction are associated with better physical and mental health outcomes, which can reduce healthcare costs and improve overall well-being.
Social cohesion: Societies with higher levels of happiness tend to have stronger social bonds and lower levels of conflict and crime.
Environmental sustainability: Happier individuals may be more likely to engage in environmentally-friendly behaviors and support policies that promote sustainability.

By focusing on the factors that contribute to happiness and well-being, policymakers can develop strategies to improve the overall quality of life for their citizens. The Happiness Index provides a valuable tool for measuring progress and identifying areas where improvements can be made.

Short information

Abbreviation of Netherlands. NL.
Netherlands is a constitutional monarchy with a parliamentary system. The country is known for its rich cultural heritage, including iconic works of art by famous painters like Rembrandt and Van Gogh. The Netherlands has a highly developed economy, with a strong emphasis on international trade and transport.
The Netherlands is famous for its extensive network of canals and windmills.
The country is the world’s second-largest exporter of food and agricultural products.
It is one of the most densely populated countries in the world, with over 17 million people living in a relatively small area.

Netherlands – A Comprehensive Overview

Early History:

The area now known as the Netherlands has been inhabited since prehistoric times. In the 1st century BC, the region was home to several Germanic tribes, including the Batavians and the Frisians. These tribes were eventually subjugated by the Romans, who established a presence in the region for several centuries.

Kingdoms and Empires:

In the Middle Ages, the Netherlands was part of the Frankish Empire and later the Holy Roman Empire. In the 16th century, the region became the center of the Dutch Revolt against Spanish rule, leading to the establishment of the Dutch Republic, one of the most powerful maritime and economic forces in the 17th century.

Colonial Period:

The Dutch Republic established a vast colonial empire, with territories in Asia, Africa, and the Americas. The Dutch East Indies (present-day Indonesia) and the Cape Colony (in modern-day South Africa) were among the most significant colonies, contributing to the nation’s wealth and global influence.

Independence and Modern Era:

In the late 18th century, the Dutch Republic was replaced by the Batavian Republic, which later became the Kingdom of the Netherlands in 1815. The Netherlands experienced a period of political instability and economic decline in the 19th century, but regained its footing in the 20th century, emerging as a modern, democratic nation and a founding member of the European Union.

Current Political Situation:

The Netherlands is a constitutional monarchy with a parliamentary system of government. The country has a bicameral parliament and a long tradition of coalition governments. The current Prime Minister is Mark Rutte, who has been in office since 2010.

International Relations:

The Netherlands is a member of the European Union, NATO, and the United Nations. It maintains close ties with its European neighbors and is a significant contributor to international peacekeeping efforts. The country has historically been a strong advocate for human rights and international cooperation.

Human Development and Economy:

The Netherlands has a highly developed and diversified economy, with a strong emphasis on international trade, agriculture, and services. Major industries include food processing, chemicals, and electronics. The country ranks highly on human development indicators, with a high standard of living and a well-developed social welfare system.

Cultural Highlights:

The Netherlands is known for its rich cultural heritage, including iconic works of art by masters like Rembrandt and Vermeer, as well as its contributions to architecture, design, and literature. The country is also renowned for its vibrant music and dance traditions, as well as its culinary delights, such as Dutch cheese, stroopwafels, and herring.

The Netherlands faces challenges related to climate change, aging population, and integration of immigrant communities. However, the country’s strong economy, innovative spirit, and commitment to sustainable development offer promising opportunities for the future.

Travel Tips for the Netherlands

Best Times to Visit: The Netherlands enjoys a temperate maritime climate, with mild summers and cool winters. Spring and fall are ideal times to visit, when the weather is pleasant and there are fewer crowds.

Cultural Etiquette: The Dutch are generally open, direct, and value punctuality. Remain polite, and avoid loud behavior in public places. Learning a few basic Dutch phrases will be appreciated.

Safety Precautions: The Netherlands is generally a safe destination, but exercise caution in crowded areas and be aware of your surroundings, especially in larger cities like Amsterdam.

Must-See Landmarks: Visit the charming canals and historic architecture of Amsterdam, explore the windmills and tulip fields of the countryside, and don’t miss iconic museums like the Rijksmuseum and the Van Gogh Museum.

Main facts

Location

The Netherlands is a country located in Western Europe, bordered by the North Sea to the north and west, Germany to the east, and Belgium to the south. It is situated in the northwestern part of the European continent and is known for its low-lying terrain, with much of the land reclaimed from the sea.

Map References

The Netherlands is located in the region of Western Europe.

Area – Comparative

The Netherlands has an area of 41,543 square kilometers (16,040 square miles), making it slightly larger than the state of Maryland in the United States.

Land Boundaries and Border Countries

The Netherlands shares land borders with two countries:

Germany – 576 km
Belgium – 478 km

Coastline

The Netherlands has a coastline of 451 km (280 mi) along the North Sea, which includes many islands and coastal features, such as dunes, beaches, and extensive dike systems to protect the low-lying areas from flooding.

Maritime Claims

The Netherlands claims the following maritime zones:

Territorial sea: 12 nautical miles
Exclusive economic zone: 200 nautical miles
Continental shelf: 200 meters depth or to the depth of exploitation

Climate

The Netherlands has a temperate maritime climate, influenced by the North Sea and the prevailing westerly winds. The climate is generally mild, with cool summers and moderate winters. The western part of the country experiences more maritime influences, while the eastern regions have a slightly more continental climate.

Terrain

The Netherlands is predominantly flat, with about a quarter of the country lying below sea level. The landscape is characterized by low-lying plains, crisscrossed by numerous rivers and canals. There are also some hills and low mountain ranges in the southeastern part of the country, such as the Ardennes and the Veluwe region.

Elevation Extremes

The highest point in the Netherlands is Vaalserberg at 322.7 meters (1,058 feet) above sea level, located in the southeastern province of Limburg. The lowest point is Zuidplaspolder at 6.7 meters (22 feet) below sea level, situated in the western part of the country.

Natural Resources

The Netherlands has limited natural resources, including natural gas, petroleum, peat, limestone, salt, sand, and gravel.

Major Bodies of Water

The major bodies of water in the Netherlands include:

North Sea: A marginal sea of the Atlantic Ocean, bordering the country to the north and west.
Rhine River: A major European river that flows through the eastern part of the Netherlands before emptying into the North Sea.
Meuse River: Another significant river that flows through the southern part of the country.
IJsselmeer Lake: A large freshwater lake in the central part of the Netherlands, formerly a saltwater bay before it was enclosed by dikes.

Natural Hazards

The Netherlands is prone to flooding due to its low-lying terrain and proximity to the sea. Other natural hazards include storms and coastal erosion from the North Sea.

Geography – Notes

The Netherlands is known for its extensive network of dikes, dams, and canals, which have been built over centuries to reclaim land from the sea and manage water levels. The country’s flat terrain and low elevation make it particularly vulnerable to sea-level rise and climate change impacts, requiring ongoing adaptation and mitigation efforts.

Forest Area (% of land area): 11.20%. This is the percentage of a country’s total land area that is covered by natural or planted forests.
Co2 Emissions: 170,78. CO2 emissions refer to the release of carbon dioxide gas into the atmosphere, primarily from the burning of fossil fuels (coal, oil, and natural gas) for energy production, transportation, and industrial processes.
Agricultural Land( %). 53.30%. Agricultural land refers to the share of land area that is arable and used for cultivating crops or raising livestock.
Geographic Coordinates: 52.1326335.291266.
Capital: The capital of Netherlands is Amsterdam
Major Cities:
- Amsterdam – 1,158,000
- Rotterdam – 633,471
- The Hague – 514,861
- Utrecht – 352,089
Population: 17,332,850
Area(Km2): 41543
Population Density( P/Km²):508. This is the number of people living per square kilometer of land area in a given region or country.
Calling Code:31
Official Language(s):Dutch – 100%
Currency:

Main Economic Indicators

The Netherlands has a prosperous and open economy that depends heavily on foreign trade. It is the sixth-largest economy in the European Union and is noted for its stable industrial relations, moderate unemployment and inflation, a sizable current account surplus, and an important role as a European transportation hub. The Dutch economy is highly diversified and includes services, manufacturing, construction, and agriculture sectors, with a significant reliance on international trade and foreign investment.

Inflation Rate (Consumer Prices)

2022: 10.0% (Source: Statistics Netherlands)
2021: 2.7% (Source: Statistics Netherlands)

Credit Ratings

Fitch: AAA (Stable)
Moody’s: Aaa (Stable)
Standard & Poor’s: AAA (Stable)

GDP – Composition by Sector of Origin

Agriculture: 1.5%
Industry: 17.7%
Services: 80.8%

Key Agricultural and Industrial Products

Agricultural Products: Dairy, eggs, pork, poultry, potatoes, sugar beets, vegetables, fruits, grains.
Industrial Products: Chemicals, machinery, electrical equipment, processed food and tobacco, petroleum, construction materials, metals and metal products, natural gas.

Labor Force

Total Labor Force: 8.9 million (2021)
Comparative Ranking: Not Available

Current Account Balance

2022: $105.5 billion (surplus)
2021: $98.9 billion (surplus)
Comparative Ranking: 8th highest in the world (2021)

Exports and Imports

Exports (2022): $805.5 billion
Major Export Partners: Germany, Belgium, France, United Kingdom, United States
Key Export Commodities: Machinery and equipment, chemicals, fuels, foodstuffs
Imports (2022): $720.8 billion
Major Import Partners: Germany, China, Belgium, United States, United Kingdom
Key Import Commodities: Machinery and equipment, chemicals, fuels, foodstuffs, clothing

Reserves of Foreign Exchange and Gold

Foreign Exchange Reserves (December 2022): $62.5 billion
Gold Reserves (December 2022): 612.5 tonnes

GDP (Current US$):$909,070,395,161. It represents a country’s gross domestic product measured in current US dollars. Higher values indicate a larger economy and economic output.
Tax Revenue (% of GDP): 23.00%. It refers to the amount of tax revenue collected by the government, expressed as a percentage of the country’s gross domestic product (GDP). Higher values indicate a higher tax burden relative to the size of the economy.
Total Tax Rate (% of commercial profits): 41.20%. This is the sum of all taxes payable by businesses, expressed as a percentage of their commercial profits. Higher values indicate a higher tax burden on businesses.
Gasoline Price. $1.68. It refers to the cost of one liter or gallon of gasoline/petrol. Higher values indicate more expensive gasoline prices for consumers and businesses.
Minimum wage. $10.29. It refers to the lowest legally mandated hourly wage that employers must pay their workers. Higher values indicate a higher minimum level of pay for low-wage workers.
Unemployment Rate (%): 3.20%. It represents the percentage of the labor force that is unemployed and actively seeking employment. Higher values indicate more joblessness in the economy.

Social Indicators

1. National Identity

Nationality: noun – Dutch, adjective – Dutch

2. Ethnic Groups

Dutch – 76.9%
EU nationals (including German, French, Belgian, British, Spanish, and others) – 7.4%
Turkish – 2.4%
Moroccan – 2.3%
Indonesian – 2.1%
Surinamese – 2%
Other – 6.9%

3. Religions

Roman Catholic – 23.7%
Protestant – 14.9%
Muslim – 5.1%
Other – 5.7%
None – 50.6%

4. Age Structure

0-14 years: 15.89%
15-64 years: 63.38%
65 years and over: 20.73%

5. Dependency Ratios

Total dependency ratio: 57.5 (youth: 24.7; elderly: 32.8; potential support ratio: 3.1)

6. Median Age

Median age: 43.2 years (total)
Male: 42.1 years
Female: 44.2 years

7. Lifestyle Indicators

Obesity rate: 20.4% of the population (2016)
Alcohol consumption: 8.7 liters of pure alcohol per capita per year (2019)
Tobacco use: 17.9% of adults (2020)
Life expectancy: 81.9 years (2022 est.)

Life Expectancy at Birth: 81.8. Life Expectancy at Birth refers to the estimated average number of years a newborn is expected to live based on current mortality rates. Higher values indicate better health outcomes and living conditions in a country or region.
Literacy Rate (% of adults): 99%. It refers to the percentage of the population aged 15 and above who can read and write with understanding of a short simple statement about their everyday life. Higher literacy rates indicate better educational attainment within a population.
Birth Rate:9.7. Birth Rate is the total number of live births per 1,000 population in a given year. Higher birth rates indicate a larger share of the population being born each year.
Death Rate:10. Death Rate is the number of deaths per 1,000 population in a given year. Higher death rates indicate more people dying annually within a population.
Fertility Rate: 1.59. Fertility Rate is the average number of children a woman would have over her reproductive years based on current birth rates. Higher fertility rates indicate larger family sizes and population growth.
Internet Users (% of population): 90.7%. Internet Users (% of population) refers to the percentage of the total population in a country or region that has access to and uses the internet. Higher values indicate greater internet penetration and connectivity among the population.
Urban Population: 15,924,729. Urban Population refers to the percentage or number of people living in urban areas or cities within a country or region. Higher urban population values indicate greater urbanization and concentration of people in cities compared to rural areas.
Out of Pocket Health Expenditure (% of total health expenditure):12.30%. Out of Pocket Health Expenditure (% of total health expenditure) represents the portion of total health care costs that individuals pay directly out of their own pockets, rather than being covered by insurance or government programs. Higher values indicate greater personal financial burden for health care expenses.

Infrastructure and Services

Military and Security Forces

The Netherlands has three main military service branches:

Royal Netherlands Army: Land forces including the 11th Airmobile Brigade and support units.
Royal Netherlands Navy: Naval forces with submarine, frigate, and patrol vessel capabilities, along with the Marine Corps.
Royal Netherlands Air Force: Air assets for air defense, transport, and reconnaissance missions.

The National Police (Nationale Politie) is responsible for maintaining internal security and law enforcement.

Military Expenditures

The Netherlands’ military expenditure as a percentage of GDP for the last five years:

2022: 1.4%
2021: 1.5%
2020: 1.4%
2019: 1.3%
2018: 1.2%

The Netherlands ranks among the top 30 countries globally in terms of military spending.

Personnel Strengths

The total active-duty military personnel strength is approximately 37,000, with the following breakdown:

Royal Netherlands Army: 16,500
Royal Netherlands Navy: 7,000
Royal Netherlands Air Force: 7,500
Royal Netherlands Marechaussee: 6,000 (gendarmerie/military police)

Military Equipment Inventories and Acquisitions

The Netherlands’ military equipment inventory includes:

Land Systems: Boxer armored vehicles, CV9035 infantry fighting vehicles, PzH 2000 self-propelled howitzers, and domestically produced Fennek and Bushmaster armored personnel carriers.
Naval Assets: Walrus-class submarines, De Zeven Provinciën-class frigates, and various patrol vessels.
Air Assets: F-16 Fighting Falcon multi-role fighters, CH-47 Chinook transport helicopters, and AH-64 Apache attack helicopters.

The Netherlands plans to replace its aging F-16 fleet with F-35 Lightning II joint strike fighters and acquire new Rembrandt-class submarines.

Military Service Age and Obligation

The Netherlands has a voluntary military service policy. The minimum age for enlistment is 17 years, with parental consent required for those under 18. Military service is fully voluntary, with no conscription.

Military Deployments

Current overseas military deployments include:

Afghanistan: NATO Resolute Support Mission (around 160 personnel)
Mali: UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission (MINUSMA) (around 300 personnel)
Middle East: Contribution to the Global Coalition against Daesh (around 250 personnel)

The Netherlands also contributes personnel to various NATO and EU missions and operations.

Strategic Military Notes

The Netherlands’ defense strategy focuses on collective security through NATO and the EU, as well as international peacekeeping and stabilization operations. The country prioritizes expeditionary capabilities for out-of-area deployments.

As a founding member of NATO, the Netherlands plays an active role in the alliance’s collective defense and crisis management efforts. It also contributes to various EU military and civilian missions worldwide.

Armed Forces Size: 35400. Armed Forces Size refers to the total number of active personnel serving in a country’s military forces, including the army, navy, air force, and other branches. Higher values indicate a larger military presence and personnel.
Physicians per Thousand: Number of doctors per 1,000 people is 3.61
Population: Labor Force Participation (%): 63.60%. This is the percentage of the total population aged 15 and older that is economically active, meaning they are either employed or actively seeking employment. Higher values indicate a greater proportion of the working-age population engaged in the labor force.