It’s well known that the Netherlands is a great place to live; in fact, it’s one of the top countries in the world for quality of life. It’s all about balance, balancing work and leisure, a strong sense of personal responsibility, and social freedom. But this isn’t new; it takes years of development and refinement, shaped by politics and society, to get to this point. According to the UNICEF Innocenti report from this year, the Netherlands has managed to secure the number one spot overall for child well-being among some of the world’s wealthiest nations. The report examines 43 wealthy countries between 2024 and 2025. The report ranks the Netherlands’ mental health number one, physical health fourth, and skills 11th. Let’s dig into some of the reasons why, and why the Netherlands ranks number one overall for child happiness levels.
Social Infrastructure
In a country where getting from A to B on a bicycle in almost any town or city is almost always faster than by car, it’s no surprise that the Dutch love infrastructure and have put a lot of thought into it.. And it’s not just limited to cycle lanes. Dutch kids get a lot of freedom, in fact, significantly more freedom than in other countries. Partly due to the extensive cycle lane network and the culture of teaching kids to cycle at a very young age, kids feel freer and more autonomous, and gain the benefit of independence.
For generation after generation, there has been a strong focus on raising the next generation that will build a stronger, better society for all.
Mental Health
Dutch kids now enjoy high levels of independence and a relaxed attitude towards education. Some of this comes from parents having time to spend with kids. The Netherlands has one of the highest rates of part-time work in the world. The Netherlands also has one of the lowest levels of work-related stress in the world. There are strong parental leave provisions in the Netherlands, so parents can claim up to 26 weeks of leave per child until their child reaches age 8. Dutch adolescents are simply happier compared to their peers in other countries. This may also be down to the Dutch parenting style.
Dutch Parenting Style
As well as good parental leave in the Netherlands, the Dutch parenting style itself focuses on open communication. Some of the subjects you might hear at the Dutch family dinner table are simply too awkward for other countries. Another significant factor is reduced pressure to achieve academic excellence. Unlike countries like Japan and South Korea, which put considerable pressure on kids to excel in school, Dutch culture and the Dutch education system value free time, especially in primary school. Kids simply have less homework when they are younger.
The Dutch Education System
Where does the Netherlands rank in education? The Netherlands ranks 11th in the skills and education category. This category examines factors such as academic proficiency and social skills. For example, the ability to read and write at age 15, and the percentage of kids who can easily make new friends at school at age 15. Global trends have been dipping over the past few years, possibly due to less social interaction post-COVID. However, Dutch kids generally have good social confidence. The Dutch education system focuses on group work, social development, and “Vreedzame School” (Peaceful School).
The ‘Happiness’ Trade Off
What’s interesting is that there is a trade-off between skills and happiness in the Dutch education system. For example, Japan and South Korea have kids with high skills but low happiness. In contrast, Dutch kids have slightly lower academic excellence (although still excellent), but much better mental health overall. For most parents, this is a worthwhile trade-off. It’s worth thinking about.
Support For Expat Families
Just because you live in the best country in the world to raise a kid, and get decent parental leave in the Netherlands, parenting still isn’t easy. Challenges are part of being human, and there’s no better place to see family challenges than in a family with kids. For example, if you’re an expat family, figuring out the Dutch education system can be a challenge. Handling relocation to the Netherlands. How do you handle requests from your youngsters to keep a screen in front of them all the time? Professional support can be handy, even if the Netherlands is clearly one of the best places in the world to raise a kid.
Askzein helps families navigate these challenges. Robbie Zein understands the complexity and challenges of moving to the Netherlands and raising kids here. If you are trying to decode your kids’ behavior or figure out a work-life balance, Robbie offers advice and coaching to support the well-being of the entire family.
