Netherlands: health and care

What is life expectancy in the Netherlands?

Life expectancy at birth in the Netherlands was 80.7 years for men and 83.5 years for women in 2025, according to provisional figures from Statistics Netherlands (CBS). Both rose by about two months on 2024. CBS says life expectancy has been rising again since 2022 after a dip in 2020 and 2021; for men it is now above its 2019 level, while for women it is still a month lower.

Period life expectancy describes how long a newborn would live if death rates stayed as they were in that year. CBS's separate forecast of life expectancy at 65 is used to set the future state pension age.

Official sources: CBS: 173 thousand deaths in 2025

How many people die each year in the Netherlands?

A total of 173.0 thousand people died in the Netherlands in 2025, 1.2 thousand more than in 2024, according to provisional annual figures from Statistics Netherlands (CBS). CBS says the increase was smaller than the year before, and slightly more women than men died.

CBS explains that the annual number of deaths is rising because the population is growing and ageing. The death rate rose sharply in 2020 at the start of the coronavirus pandemic, stayed fairly stable for two years and then increased again in 2024. Weekly mortality and causes of death are published separately on StatLine.

Official sources: CBS: 173 thousand deaths in 2025

How much does the Netherlands spend on health care?

The Netherlands spent €120.2 billion on health care in 2025, €6.9 billion or 6.1% more than in 2024, according to provisional figures from Statistics Netherlands (CBS). That was 10.2% of GDP, compared with 10.1% in 2022. Spending on long-term care is rising fastest.

This figure uses the international definition of health spending applied by Eurostat, the OECD and the WHO, so it can be compared across countries. CBS also publishes a wider total that adds social care, which is higher.

Official sources: CBS: Spending on health care up by 6.1 percent in 2025

What is the suicide rate in the Netherlands?

A total of 1,758 people died by suicide in the Netherlands in 2025, 92 fewer than in 2024, according to Statistics Netherlands (CBS). The rate was 9.7 per 100 thousand inhabitants, the lowest since 2010. Men accounted for 1,205 deaths and women for 553. CBS says suicide is the leading cause of death among people under 30, and the rate is highest among people in their fifties and sixties.

The figures come from cause-of-death statistics based on death certificates.

Official sources: CBS: 1,758 suicides in 2025

How much is the health insurance excess (eigen risico) in the Netherlands?

The compulsory health insurance excess (eigen risico) for 2026 is €385, according to Rijksoverheid. Adults aged 18 and over pay the first €385 of costs for care in the basic package themselves before their insurer pays.

Some care is exempt from the excess, including GP care and out-of-hours GP services, maternity care, district nursing and certain integrated care for chronic conditions such as type 2 diabetes and COPD. Children under 18 pay no excess. People can choose a voluntary excess on top in exchange for a lower premium. The amount for 2027 is set in the government's annual health insurance decisions.

Official sources: Rijksoverheid: Wanneer betaal ik een eigen risico voor mijn zorg?

What is life expectancy in the Netherlands?

The latest figure from the UN Population Division, for 2024, is 82.0 years. The peak was 82.1 years in 2019 and the low 79.3 years in 2005. Across Europe & Central Asia the middle value was 79.5 years, and the Netherlands placed 20th highest of 52. World rank, highest first: 31st of 193.

How many babies die in the Netherlands?

The UN Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation puts the infant mortality rate in the Netherlands at 3.4 per 1,000 in 2024. No year since 2005 has been lower. Europe & Central Asia median: 3.4 per 1,000; the Netherlands is 24th highest of 51. Of 192 countries with 2024 data, 160th highest.

How many women die in childbirth in the Netherlands?

The WHO puts the maternal mortality ratio in the Netherlands at 4.0 per 100,000 in 2023. It is the bottom of the series, which starts in 2005. Across Europe & Central Asia the middle value was 6.0 per 100,000, and the Netherlands placed 36th highest of 51. Of 192 countries with 2023 data, 171st highest.

How much does the Netherlands spend on health?

10.0% of GDP: that is current health spending in the Netherlands for 2024, according to the WHO. The peak was 11.1% of GDP in 2021 and the low 9.0% of GDP in 2007. Across Europe & Central Asia the middle value was 9.4% of GDP, and the Netherlands placed 7th highest of 17.

What is out-of-pocket health spending in the Netherlands?

In 2024, out-of-pocket health spending in the Netherlands was 11.8%, according to the WHO. Its high point since 2005 was 2023, at 12.0%; its low point was 2007, at 7.9%. Europe & Central Asia median: 14.1%; the Netherlands is 12th highest of 17.

How many doctors does the Netherlands have?

According to the WHO, the number of doctors per 1,000 people in the Netherlands was 3.9 per 1,000 in 2022. It is the top of the series, which starts in 2005. Across Europe & Central Asia the middle value was 3.7 per 1,000, and the Netherlands placed 20th highest of 42. World rank, highest first: 27th of 125.

How many hospital beds does the Netherlands have?

In 2022, hospital beds per 1,000 people in the Netherlands was 2.4 per 1,000, according to the WHO. It is the bottom of the series, which starts in 2005. It is 39th highest of 42 in Europe & Central Asia, where the median is 4.3 per 1,000. Of 110 countries with 2022 data, 67th highest.

What is the measles vaccination rate in the Netherlands?

WHO and UNICEF puts measles vaccination among children aged 12 to 23 months in the Netherlands at 89.0% in 2024. That is the lowest since at least 2005. Across Europe & Central Asia the middle value was 94.0%, and the Netherlands placed 37th highest of 51. World rank, highest first: 103rd of 191.