WHY THE DUTCH LIVE LONGER THAN US AND WHAT WE CAN LEARN FROM THEM
From its booming cycling culture to its enviable infrastructure, there’s lots to be learnt from the Netherlands. It is the land of tulips, windmills, and cheese and – unsurprisingly – was voted one of the happiest countries in the world this year.
It is also among the fittest – with a high life expectancy, one of the lowest obesity rates in Europe, and one of the best healthcare systems in the world.
The Netherlands marks a stark contrast to the UK – where bicycles gather dust in the corner of garages and “enviable” is perhaps the last word that springs to mind when describing our essential services.
A recent study in the Lancet revealed that more than three in four adults in the UK will be obese or overweight by 2050. We also ranked 23rd in this year’s World Happiness Report – the UK’s lowest level since 2017.
How are the Dutch so healthy and what lessons can we learn from them?
They cycle absolutely everywhere
Cycling is synonymous with Dutch culture. In 2022, the Dutch rode their bicycles 4.8 billion times – amounting to 3km of cycling per person per day, according to the Netherlands Institute for Transport Policy Analysis.
“We have a habit of cycling or walking for groceries, travelling to work, visiting friends,” says Dr Joreintje Mackenbach, associate professor at the Department of Epidemiology and Data Science at Amsterdam UMC.
In fact, more than 25 per cent of all trips that the Dutch make are by bicycle, compared to just 2 per cent in Britain.
“Come rain or shine, the Dutch will be on their bikes,” says Gillian Kolkman, a British nutritionist who lives in Amsterdam. It is generally safe for children as young as 10 to cycle to school, she says, whilst in the UK our roads are far more dangerous and designed primarily for cars.
The Dutch government has taken various measures to encourage cycling – there are now more than 35,000km of dedicated cycle paths and in most urban areas, bikes are given the right of way.
“There’s no reason you can’t get on a bike here,” Kolkman says. “It helps that the Netherlands is very flat but also relatively small. I’d say most places in daily life tend to be 15 minutes away by bike, so incorporating thirty minutes-plus of cycling a day becomes natural.”
Dr Karine van ‘t Land, public health consultant and chair of KAMG, the association for public health physicians, encourages Britons to incorporate more cycling into their daily routine. “It helps prevent diseases like diabetes, heart conditions, and depression,” she says. “It improves mental wellbeing, increases life expectancy and boosts social cohesion – it’s worth it!”
They drink alcohol-free beer
In England, almost a quarter of adults regularly drink more than 14 units of alcohol a week – the equivalent to six pints of beer or 10 small glasses of wine.
Whilst the odd glass of wine or pint of beer is fine in moderation, we know all too well the adverse impacts that excessive drinking can have on our health.
Between 2014 and 2024, the Netherlands reduced the number of adults deemed to be excessive drinkers from 10 per cent of the population to just 5.5 per cent.
Alcohol-free alternatives – particularly beers – have played a part in this.
“They are very successful in the Netherlands,” Dr van ‘t Land explains. “We have a wide range of flavours and types and I think the fact there’s little stigma around them helps as well.”
In fact, whilst you’re almost guaranteed to be offered a glass of wine or beer at a social event in the UK, that isn’t the case in the Netherlands.
Kolkman recalls attending a friend’s wedding shortly after she moved to the country and going to the bride’s house before for a gathering with close family and friends. “It was around 12 o’clock and everyone was drinking coffee and homemade soup. I was surprised that no one was drinking champagne like you would at a UK wedding,” she says.
“Now that I’ve lived here longer, I’ve realised how most social gatherings in the UK tend to revolve around alcohol. The difference is really apparent.”
She says a mug of tea or coffee, or a glass of water or milk, is more likely to be drunk with a meal or at certain social occasions.
They eat simple meals (with lots of cheese)
Foods stereotypically associated with the Netherlands may include mountains of chips with mayonnaise and caramel-filled waffles, however the average Dutch family tends to eat simply and in moderation.
“Potatoes and vegetables form part of our traditional home-cooked meals,” says Dr van ’t Land. “We have some wonderful, hearty dishes that are surprisingly healthy.”
One traditional Dutch dish is stamppot – mashed potatoes combined with vegetables such as carrots, kale, and onions, and typically served with sausages. Another is erwtensoep – a hearty thick pea soup enriched with vegetables and pork.
In 2023, the Dutch National Food Consumption Survey found that the country’s average sugar and salt intake had dropped, whilst its fibre intake had increased. Dr Mackenbach credits the popularity of wholewheat as well as other grains, fruits, and vegetables, for this.
Whilst the Dutch are very big on dairy, Dr Mackenbach says it tends to be consumed as simple milk, cheese, or yogurt without added flavourings or sweeteners.
“There isn’t a massive amount of variety and I wouldn’t say the Dutch tend to overeat,” Kolkman says. “They eat the same type of meals quite consistently and food tends to be more wholesome and simple.”
She says a typical breakfast might consist of wholewheat bread, cheese, ham, and a yogurt, whilst lunch might also be a ham or cheese sandwich. They don’t tend to include additional snacks, such as crisps or chocolate bars, with their meals.
They have dinner together
Whilst we’re prone to eating at different times and sometimes separately from our household, meal times tend to be sacred in the Netherlands.
“Traditionally, we eat together and children eat what their parents eat so there’s no children’s meal or separate eating,” Dr van’t Land says.
They also tend to eat at 6pm each evening. “You notice everything goes quiet on the street around that time,” Kolkman says.
A 2021 study in the Nutrients journal found that eating dinner early has a positive effect on blood glucose levels and metabolism, whilst research has shown that eating regular family meals is associated with a better diet overall.
Meanwhile, dinner time can be as late as 8pm in the UK, whilst a study by Sainsbury’s found that just 28 per cent of households share the same meal each evening. We are more prone to eating alone, “on the go”, or just on the sofa at the end of a long day.
They have a strong work-life balance
In the UK, long office hours and lengthy commutes mean there’s often little time to pursue hobbies outside of work.
However, Kolkman says that work-life balance is strong in the Netherlands, with people prioritising their hobbies and attending organised sports clubs.
“The sports facilities are incredible. Fields and clubhouses are really well kept and families are encouraged to be really involved in the upkeep of their local clubs,” she says.
“Children in primary school get Wednesday afternoons off to go and play sports as well, so they’re really encouraged to go out and try hockey, or football, or whatever they’re interested in.”
Kolkman also points to the popularity of part-time work in the Netherlands. In 2023, nearly 40 per cent of adults, and more than half of women, worked part-time. The country’s average working week lasted 32.2 hours, the shortest in Europe.
Part-time jobs tend to be good quality and well paid, whilst childcare responsibilities are often more balanced. Many Dutch fathers are entitled to a weekly “papadag” (or “daddy day”) which they can spend with their children.
In the UK, just 24 per cent of people work part-time and the average working week is 36.5 hours. A 2023 study by Great Place to Work found that 53 per cent of UK workers experience excessive stress due to job demands.
A strong work-life balance allows many Dutch people to invest in their hobbies, prioritise their wellbeing, and spend time with loved ones. The country’s fifth place spot in this year’s World Happiness Report suggests it’s a recipe for success.
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They have a leading healthcare system
The Netherlands has an excellent healthcare system which scores highly in global rankings. In the 2024 World Index of Healthcare Innovation, it was ranked fourth and the country performs consistently well across patient satisfaction metrics.
Everyone in the Netherlands must have basic health insurance cover by law.
Whilst mandatory health insurance tends to include GP appointments, hospital care, certain prescription medication and maternity care, additional packages may cover dental care and physiotherapy. All residents pay the same premium, regardless of their age or health status, whilst the government supports low-income households.
As a result, the system combines the quality and efficiency of private healthcare with the accessibility of a universal system, Dr van ‘t Land says.
Kolkman has experienced both the Dutch and British healthcare systems. She lauds the quality of Dutch healthcare, particularly the short waiting times and modern hospital facilities.
She adds: “GPs in the Netherlands seem to be much more cautious when it comes to prescribing medications, especially antibiotics, which is undoubtedly a positive approach. They also take a careful stance on referring patients to specialists and act as a gatekeeper to these kinds of services which can help to remove some pressure.”
A review by the HFMA which compared the Dutch and UK systems concluded that the Dutch insurance model allows people to feel more engaged with their healthcare as they have a greater understanding of cost.
Additionally, whilst the NHS is continually at the forefront of political debate, the HFMA found the insurance system in the Netherlands means its healthcare system is somewhat removed from political pressure. “The frustration of changing political whims for the NHS makes this approach seem appealing,” they concluded.
2025-04-22T11:02:31Z