Well-being

Dutch adults are relatively satisfied with their lives. They give the life they lead a 7.7 out of 10 on average. Across the EU-28, people give themselves an average score of 7.1. With an average of 8.2, the Danes are most contented. The Greeks rate their lives on average a 5.3, making them the least satisfied among the EU citizens.

The Dutch are generally more optimistic about their own future than the average European. In 2016, nearly three-quarters of the Dutch population have a sense of trust in the future versus over six in ten EU citizens. With shares exceeding 80 percent, the inhabitants of Sweden, Denmark, Ireland and Finland have the sunniest outlook. At the other end of the scale are the Greeks: fewer than one in three say they are positive about their own future.

Less positive about (grand)children’s future

The Dutch are less positive about the outlook for their children or grandchildren compared to their own with a confidence score of 63 percent. This means the Netherlands holds the middle ground within the EU. Nordic citizens are the most confident while Greeks are least positive in this respect.

Young people more optimistic than older people

In all member states, young people between the ages of 18 and 25 see a brighter future than older people (over-65s). 84 percent of Dutch youth are optimistic about their own future. This share then becomes smaller with age ending at 58 percent among the over-65s. On average in the EU, 78 percent of young people are optimistic against 50 percent of the over-65s.

Source

Eurofound – Quality of Life Survey