Netherlands (Kingdom of the Netherlands)

Netherlands Kingdom of the Netherlands
Status	Independent State
Social and Moral Index	5th best
Capital	Amsterdam (administrative) and The Hague (legislative/judicial)
Land Area	33 730km21
Location	Europe
Population	17.1m2
Life Expectancy	81.69yrs (2017)3
GNI	$55 979 (2017)4
ISO3166-1 Codes	NL, NLD, 5285
Internet Domain	.nl6
Currency	Euro (EUR)7
Telephone	+318

1. Overview
2. Netherlands National and Social Development
3. Netherlands's Demographics and Migration
4. Human Rights, Equality & Tolerance
5. Netherlands's Health
6. Netherlands's Responsibility Towards The Environment
7. Netherlands's Modernity and Learning
8. National Culture
9. Peace Versus Instability
10. Economic Inequality and Poverty
11. Religion and Beliefs
12. Links

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1. Overview

#netherlands

“The Dutch United Provinces declared their independence from Spain in 1579; during the 17th century, they became a leading seafaring and commercial power, with settlements and colonies around the world. After a 20-year French occupation, a Kingdom of the Netherlands was formed in 1815. In 1830 Belgium seceded and formed a separate kingdom. The Netherlands remained neutral in World War I, but suffered invasion and occupation by Germany in World War II. A modern, industrialized nation, the Netherlands is also a large exporter of agricultural products. The country was a founding member of NATO and the EEC (now the EU) and participated in the introduction of the euro in 1999. In October 2010, the former Netherlands Antilles was dissolved and the three smallest islands - Bonaire, Sint Eustatius, and Saba - became special municipalities in the Netherlands administrative structure. The larger islands of Sint Maarten and Curacao joined the Netherlands and Aruba as constituent countries forming the Kingdom of the Netherlands.”

CIA's The World Factbook (2013)₉

“Discover the many secrets of this gently beautiful country and its masterpieces, canal towns and windmills. Revel in the welcoming yet wry culture at a cafe, then bike past fields of tulips. Great Dutch artists Rembrandt, Vermeer and Van Gogh have spanned the centuries, and touring the Netherlands you´ll see why. Discover clichés such as tulips and windmills, or stroll canals in the midst of 17th-century splendour in beautiful small towns such as Leiden and Delft. Of course, enticing Amsterdam´s phenomenal and diverse nightlife is world-famous, from its throbbing clubs to quaint brown cafes.

The locals live on bicycles and you can too. Almost every train station has a shop to rent a bike - you´ll soon be off on the ubiquitous bike paths, wherever your mood takes you.

Finally there´s the Dutch themselves. Warm, friendly and funny, you´ll have a hard time being alone in a cafe as someone will soon strike up a conversation, and usually in English. Revel in Amsterdam, don´t miss exquisite Maastricht or pulsing Rotterdam, and pick a passel of small towns to add contrast. It´s a very big small country.”

"The World" by Lonely Planet (2014)₁₀

Unfortunately, The Netherlands is quietly becoming infamous as a Tax Haven, wherein rich individuals, corporations, and criminals hide money from authorities₁₁.

2. Netherlands National and Social Development

#economics #human_development #wealth

UN HDI (2021)12
Pos.		Higher is better Value12
1	Switzerland	0.962
2	Norway	0.961
3	Iceland	0.959
	...
7	Sweden	0.947
8	Ireland	0.945
9	Germany	0.942
10	Netherlands	0.941
11	Finland	0.940
12	Singapore	0.939
13=	Belgium	0.937
13=	New Zealand	0.937
	Europe Avg	0.87
	World Avg	0.72
q=191.

Gross National Income Per-Capita (2021)12
Pos.		Higher is better PPP $12
1	Liechtenstein	$146 830
2	Singapore	$90 919
3	Qatar	$87 134
	...
10	Hong Kong	$62 607
11	UAE	$62 574
12	Denmark	$60 365
13	Netherlands	$55 979
14	Iceland	$55 782
15	Germany	$54 534
16	Sweden	$54 489
17	Austria	$53 619
	Europe Avg	$40 512
	World Avg	$20 136
q=193.

Social & Moral Development Index13
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank13
1	Norway	29.8
2	Denmark	30.0
3	Finland	33.7
4	Sweden	33.9
5	Netherlands	34.3
6	Iceland	34.5
7	New Zealand	36.1
8	Switzerland	37.3
9	Germany	38.1
10	UK	38.9
11	Austria	39.0
12	Australia	39.0
	Europe Avg	59.3
	World Avg	87.9
q=196.

The United Nations produces an annual Human Development Report which includes the Human Development Index. The factors taken into account include life expectancy, education and schooling and Gross National Income (GNI) amongst many others..

The Social and Moral Development Index concentrates on moral issues and human rights, violence, public health, equality, tolerance, freedom and effectiveness in climate change mitigation and environmentalism, and on some technological issues. A country scores higher for achieving well in those areas, and for sustaining that achievement in the long term. Those countries towards the top of this index can truly said to be setting good examples and leading humankind onwards into a bright, humane, and free future. See: Which are the Best Countries in the World? The Social and Moral Development Index.

3. Netherlands's Demographics and Migration

#birth_control #demographics #health #immigration #life_expectancy #longevity #migration #overpopulation #population

Population:

The Netherlands's population is predicted to rise to 17.31 million by 2030. This rise is despite a low fertility rate, meaning, that this country is helping to alleviate problems with growing population in neighbouring countries by accepting immigrants, very likely as a requirement of maintaining an active workforce. This country has a fertility rate of 1.79. The fertility rate is, in simple terms, the average amount of children that each woman has. The higher the figure, the quicker the population is growing, although, to calculate the rate you also need to take into account morbidity, i.e., the rate at which people die. If people live healthy and long lives and morbidity is low, then, 2.0 approximates to the replacement rate, which would keep the population stable. If all countries had such a fertility rate, population growth would end. The actual replacement rate in most developed countries is around 2.1.

Population2
Pos.		2018 Population2
1	China	1.4b
2	India	1.4b
3	USA	327.1m
	...
64	Zambia	17.4m
65	Guatemala	17.2m
66	Ecuador	17.1m
67	Netherlands	17.1m
68	Syria	16.9m
69	Cambodia	16.2m
70	Senegal	15.9m
71	Chad	15.5m
	World Avg	39.0m
q=195.

Life Expectancy Higher is better12
Pos.		2021 Years12
1	Monaco	85.9
2	Hong Kong	85.5
3	Japan	84.8
	...
20	Finland	82.0
21	Ireland	82.0
22	Belgium	81.9
23	Netherlands	81.7
24	Austria	81.6
25	Denmark	81.4
26	Cyprus	81.2
27	Portugal	81.0
	World Avg	71.28
q=195.

Fertility Rate 2.0 is best14
Pos.		201314
1	N. Korea	2.00
2	Brunei	1.99
3	St Vincent & Grenadines	2.01
	...
33	Morocco	2.20
34	Brazil	1.80
35	Guyana	2.21
36	Netherlands	1.79
37	Vietnam	1.77
38	Lebanon	1.77
39	Mexico	2.25
40	Sri Lanka	2.26
	World Avg	2.81
q=180.

Old-Age Dependency Ratio Lower is better15
Pos.		2016 Per 10015
1	Uganda	04.3
2	Mali	04.5
3=	Chad	04.7
	...
175	Austria	40.5
176	Greece	41.3
177	Spain	41.4
178	Netherlands	41.9
179	Slovenia	42.7
180	Finland	43.3
181	Hong Kong	43.7
182	Portugal	44.7
	World Avg	18.3
q=185.

• The Population of the Earth
• Abortion, Birth Control and Contraception

Migration:

Immigrants16
Pos.		2017 %16
1	UAE	88.4%
2	Kuwait	75.5%
3	Qatar	65.2%
	...
47	France	12.2%
48	Barbados	12.1%
49	Djibouti	12.1%
50	Netherlands	12.1%
51	Slovenia	11.8%
52	Denmark	11.5%
53	Belarus	11.4%
54	Montenegro	11.3%
	World Avg	9.4%
q=195.

Emigrants17
Pos.		2010 %17
1	Dominica	104.8%
2	Palestine	68.4%
3	Samoa	67.3%
	...
95	Singapore	6.1%
96	Guatemala	6.1%
97	Brunei	6.0%
98	Netherlands	6.0%
99	Italy	5.8%
100	Benin	5.8%
101	Laos	5.7%
102	Turkey	5.6%
	World Avg	11.5%
q=192.

4. Human Rights, Equality & Tolerance

#christianity #equality #freethought #gender_equality #human_rights #islam #morals #Netherlands #netherlands_freethought #politics #prejudice #religious_tolerance #tolerance

Human Rights, Equality & Tolerance (2020)18
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank18
1	Sweden	9.0
2	Norway	14.5
3	Denmark	14.5
4	Netherlands	15.6
5	New Zealand	17.3
6	Iceland	19.9
7	Canada	21.0
8	Austria	22.3
9	Luxembourg	23.7
10	Finland	23.8
	Europe Avg	51.4
	World Avg	87.9
q=199.

When it comes to ensuring human rights and freedom, The Netherlands leads the world, setting excellent examples. The Netherlands performs the best in freethought₁₉ and in LGBT equality₂₀. It does the second-best when it comes to supporting press freedom₂₁. It comes in the best 20 when it comes to opposing gender inequality₂₂ (one of the best in Europe), commentary in Human Rights Watch reports₂₃, its success in fighting anti-semitic prejudice₂₄ (amongst the lowest in Europe), the rate of gender bias (from 7 indicators)₂₅ and in supporting personal, civil & economic freedoms₂₆. And finally, it does better than average for its nominal commitment to Human Rights₂₇ (but low for Europe) and in speed of uptake of HR treaties₂₈. The Netherlands became the first country in the world to remove restrictions on homosexual marriage, divorce and adoption rights, in the face of opposition from Christian and Muslim organisations₂₉. Human Rights Watch's 2017 report states that the Netherlands's support of women's rights at home and internationally has been notable₃₀.

For tables, charts and commentary, see:

• Human Rights and Freedom in Netherlands

5. Netherlands's Health

#alcohol #birth_control #demographics #health #life_expectancy #longevity #mental_health #obesity #overpopulation #parenting #population #smoking #suicide #vaccines

Compared to Europe (2020)31
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank31
1	Monaco	13.0
2	Norway	61.0
3=	Finland	65.3
	...
11	Austria	74.5
12	Sweden	75.6
13	Iceland	76.9
14=	Netherlands	77.0
15	Greece	77.4
16	Belgium	77.9
17	Armenia	78.4
18	Cyprus	78.6
19	Malta	78.9
	Europe Avg	82.5
q=46.

Health (2020)31
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank31
1	Monaco	13.0
2	Hong Kong	18.3
3	Maldives	41.0
	...
34	Sweden	75.6
35	UAE	75.8
36	Iceland	76.9
37=	Netherlands	77.0
37=	Eritrea	77.0
39	Bahrain	77.3
40	Greece	77.4
41	Belgium	77.9
	World Avg	93.5
q=196.

The countries with the best overall approach to public health, in terms of both public policy and individual lifestyle choices, are Monaco, Hong Kong and The Maldives₃₂. These countries are worth emulating. And, although often through no fault of the average citizen, the worst countries are The Marshall Islands, S. Sudan and Palau₃₂.

The data sets used to calculate points for each country are its average life expectancy, its alcohol consumption rate, its fertility rate, its smoking rate, its suicide rate, its food aid and health contributions and WHO compliance, the prevalence of overweight adults, its adolescent birth rate and its immunizations take-up. The regions with the best average results per country are Scandinavia, Asia and The Mediterranean₃₂, whereas the worst are Micronesia, Australasia and Africa₃₂.

For more, see:

• "Countries With the Healthiest Cultures and Health Policies" by Vexen Crabtree (2020).

Health:

The Netherlands does relatively well in encouraging good health, compared to many other countries. The Netherlands comes in the best 20 in its adolescent birth rate₂₂ (amongst the best in Europe) and in its food aid and health contributions and WHO compliance₃₃. It does better than average in its average life expectancy₁₂ and in its fertility rate₁₄. But, things could still be better. The Netherlands does worse than average in its suicide rate₃₄ (still low for Europe), its immunizations take-up₃₅, its alcohol consumption rate₃₆ (still good for Europe) and in its smoking rate₃₇ (still low for Europe). The prevalence of overweight adults has increased by 14% during the past 40 years. Life expectancy in the Netherlands improved by +5yrs in the 30 years from 1990, less than the global average of +7.9yrs.

Life Expectancy Higher is better12
Pos.		2021 Years12
1	Monaco	85.9
2	Hong Kong	85.5
3	Japan	84.8
	...
20	Finland	82.0
21	Ireland	82.0
22	Belgium	81.9
23	Netherlands	81.7
24	Austria	81.6
25	Denmark	81.4
26	Cyprus	81.2
27	Portugal	81.0
	Europe Avg	78.36
	World Avg	71.28
q=195.

Alcohol Consumption Lower is better36
Pos.		2016 Per Capita36
1	Bangladesh	0.0
2	Kuwait	0.0
3	Libya	0.0
	...
128=	Trinidad & Tobago	8.4
128=	Vietnam	8.4
130	Ukraine	8.6
131	Netherlands	8.7
132=	Croatia	8.9
132=	Cameroon	8.9
132=	Canada	8.9
135	Rwanda	9.0
	Europe Avg	10.3
	World Avg	6.2
q=189.

Fertility Rate 2.0 is best14
Pos.		201314
1	N. Korea	2.00
2	Brunei	1.99
3	St Vincent & Grenadines	2.01
	...
33	Morocco	2.20
34	Brazil	1.80
35	Guyana	2.21
36	Netherlands	1.79
37	Vietnam	1.77
38	Lebanon	1.77
39	Mexico	2.25
40	Sri Lanka	2.26
	Europe Avg	1.61
	World Avg	2.81
q=180.

Smoking Rates Lower is better37
Pos.		201437
1	Guinea	15
2	Solomon Islands	26
3	Kiribati	28
	...
144	Georgia	1 378
145	Cuba	1 392
146	Saudi Arabia	1 395
147	Netherlands	1 396
148	Poland	1 396
149	Italy	1 443
150	Germany	1 480
151	Bulgaria	1 505
	Europe Avg	1 648
	World Avg	819
q=182.

Suicide Rate34
Pos.		2013 Per 100k34
1	Haiti	0
2	Grenada	0
3	Egypt	0.1
	...
44	Australia	16.4
45	El Salvador	16.5
46	Kyrgyzstan	17.7
47	Netherlands	18.6
48	Luxembourg	19.3
49	Portugal	19.6
50	Singapore	20.6
51	India	20.8
	Europe Avg	26.99
	World Avg	20.93
q=91.

Food Aid, Health Contributions & WHO Compliance Lower is better33
Pos.		2017 Rank33
1	Sweden	1
2	Ireland	2
3	Denmark	3
4	UK	4
5	Norway	5
6	Switzerland	6
7	Germany	7
8	Canada	8
9	Netherlands	9
10	USA	10
11	Luxembourg	11
12	Finland	12
	Europe Avg	47.4
	World Avg	82.0
q=163.

Overweight Adults Lower is better38
Pos.		2016 %38
1	Vietnam	18.3
2	India	19.7
3	Bangladesh	20.0
	...
115=	Peru	57.5
116	Albania	57.7
117=	Romania	57.7
118	Netherlands	57.8
119=	Latvia	57.8
120	Finland	57.9
121	Macedonia	58.1
122	Nicaragua	58.2
	Europe Avg	58.5
	World Avg	49.0
q=191.

Children's Health:

Adolescent Birth Rate Lower is better22
Pos.		2015 Per 100022
1	N. Korea	0.5
2	S. Korea	1.6
3	Switzerland	2.9
4	Hong Kong	3.2
5	Slovenia	3.8
6	Singapore	3.8
7	Netherlands	4.0
8	Denmark	4.0
9	Japan	4.1
10	Cyprus	5.0
11	Sweden	5.7
12	Norway	5.9
	Europe Avg	14.6
	World Avg	47.9
q=185.

Infant Immunizations 2011-2015 Higher is better35
Pos.		2015 Avg %35
1=	Hungary	99.0
1=	China	99.0
3	Uzbekistan	98.9
	...
128	Costa Rica	88.5
129	Colombia	88.4
130	Kiribati	88.4
131	Netherlands	88.1
132	Paraguay	88.1
133	Bosnia & Herzegovina	88.0
134	Sierra Leone	87.7
135	Suriname	87.2
	Europe Avg	92.7
	World Avg	88.3
q=194.

6. Netherlands's Responsibility Towards The Environment

#biodiversity #climate_change #deforestation #energy #food #meat #over-exploitation #sustainability #the_environment #veganism #vegetarianism

Compared to Europe (2023)39
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank39
1	Greece	50.4
2	Italy	51.8
3	Germany	55.8
	...
9=	France	61.8
9=	Denmark	61.8
11	Luxembourg	64.2
12	Netherlands	65.8
13=	Austria	66.6
14	Finland	67.4
15=	Hungary	68.6
16	Armenia	69.5
17	Slovakia	69.6
	Europe Avg	79.9
q=43.

Responsibility Towards The Environment (2023)39
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank39
1	Japan	33.2
2	Philippines	45.0
3	Uruguay	48.0
	...
40	Cuba	64.7
41	Ethiopia	64.8
42	Belize	65.3
43	Netherlands	65.8
44	Australia	66.4
45=	Egypt	66.6
45=	Austria	66.6
47	Brazil	66.8
	World Avg	85.7
q=188.

The Netherlands ranks 43rd in the world in terms of its responsibility towards the environment. This rank is derived from 7 data sets. The Netherlands comes in the best 20 in its score on the Green Future Index₄₀ and in its environmental performance₄₁. It does better than average in energy to GDP efficiency₄₂, its forested percent change 2000-2020₄₃ and in how quickly it ratified the 1993 Convention on Biological Diversity. But, things could still be better. The Netherlands does worse than average in annual meat consumption per person₄₄ (still good for Europe) and in the rate of rational beliefs on the environment in the population₄₅.

Forest Area Change 2000-2020 Higher is better43
Pos.		Total43
1	Guernsey	82.6%
2	Bahrain	75.2%
3	Iceland	64.7%
	...
60	Tajikistan	3.4%
61	Belgium	3.3%
62	Croatia	2.9%
63	Netherlands	2.8%
64	UAE	2.5%
65	Albania	2.5%
66	Luxembourg	2.3%
67	Georgia	2.2%
	Europe Avg	8.2%
	World Avg	-0.1%
q=234.

Environmental Performance Higher is better41
Pos.		201841
1	Switzerland	87.4
2	France	84.0
3	Denmark	81.6
	...
15	Belgium	77.4
16	Italy	77.0
17	New Zealand	76.0
18	Netherlands	75.5
19	Israel	75.0
20	Japan	74.7
21	Australia	74.1
22	Greece	73.6
	Europe Avg	69.6
	World Avg	56.4
q=180.

Energy to GDP Efficiency Higher is better42
Pos.		201442
1	Hong Kong	26.32
2	Sri Lanka	20.00
3	Panama	17.86
	...
37=	Israel	11.11
37=	Turkey	11.11
39	Azerbaijan	10.87
40	Netherlands	10.75
41	Mexico	10.64
42	Paraguay	10.53
43=	Chile	10.42
43=	Lithuania	10.42
	Europe Avg	09.80
	World Avg	09.29
q=119.

Convention on Biological Diversity Earlier is better
Pos.		Total Signed
1=	China	1993 Dec 29
1=	Guinea	1993 Dec 29
1=	Cook Islands	1993 Dec 29
	...
65	Malaysia	1994 Sep 22
66	Benin	1994 Sep 28
67	France	1994 Sep 29
68	Netherlands	1994 Oct 10
69=	Pakistan	1994 Oct 24
69=	Kenya	1994 Oct 24
71	Finland	1994 Oct 25
72=	Estonia	1994 Oct 25
	Europe Avg	1899 Dec 30
	World Avg	1899 Dec 30
q=197.

Rational Beliefs on the Environment Higher is better45
Pos.		2011 %45
1	Argentina	78.3%
2	Greece	77.6%
3	Brazil	77.1%
	...
119	Algeria	23.5%
120	Pakistan	23.2%
121	Liberia	23.1%
122	Netherlands	23.0%
123	Finland	22.9%
124	Congo, DR	22.8%
125	UK	22.6%
126	Malawi	22.0%
	Europe Avg	33.6%
	World Avg	39.9%
q=145.

Meat Consumption Lower is better44
Pos.		2021 kg44
1	Congo, DR	03.0
2	Burundi	03.5
3	Bangladesh	04.3
	...
113	Jamaica	63.4
114	Slovakia	63.5
115	China	63.6
116	Netherlands	63.8
117	Malaysia	65.3
118	Belgium	66.2
119	Gabon	66.3
120	Sweden	66.9
	Europe Avg	71.1
	World Avg	52.5
q=185.

In the 2010s, meat consumption per person in Netherlands reduced by over 10kgs per year (only 17 countries managed the same), reducing strain on water supplies and the environment.₄₄

Green Future Index Higher is better40
Pos.		2023 Score40
1	Iceland	6.7
2	Finland	6.7
3	Norway	6.4
4=	Sweden	6.3
4=	Denmark	6.3
6	Netherlands	6.2
7	UK	6.1
8	S. Korea	6.0
9	France	6.0
10=	Spain	5.9
10=	Germany	5.9
12	Belgium	5.8
	Europe Avg	5.6
	World Avg	4.8
q=76.

7. Netherlands's Modernity and Learning

#education #english #intelligence #it_security #maths #modernity #religion #religiosity #research #science #secularisation #technology #the_internet

Despite the huge success of Dutch education, evidenced by the statistics compared to the rest of the world, there are issues with the education system that causes problems for overall societal cohesion.

“Under the Dutch system of "pillarization"... children are educated in separate Protestant, Catholic, Muslim and secular systems. Receiving an education in a state-sponsored school without ever having to deal with people outside one´s own religion is not likely to foster rapid assimilation.”

"Against Identity Politics" by Francis Fukuyama (2018)₄₆

A modern "depilliarisation" movement is in progress, although not moving very quickly.

Compared to Europe (2020)47
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank47
1	Finland	8.4
2	Switzerland	15.1
3	Estonia	15.8
	...
15=	Faroe Islands	24.0
16	Hungary	24.2
17	Luxembourg	24.4
18	Netherlands	24.7
19	Latvia	28.2
20	France	28.8
21	Poland	34.6
22	Lithuania	35.0
23	Spain	37.1
	Europe Avg	41.2
q=49.

Modernity & Learning (2020)47
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank47
1	Finland	8.4
2	Taiwan	10.0
3	Switzerland	15.1
	...
21=	Faroe Islands	24.0
22	Hungary	24.2
23	Luxembourg	24.4
24	Netherlands	24.7
25	Singapore	27.9
26	Latvia	28.2
27	France	28.8
28	USA	29.3
	World Avg	83.2
q=205.

Modernity and Education:

In 1994, education in the Netherlands was the 2nd-longest in the world at 17.3 years, beaten only by Australia. ₄₈

Research & Development Higher is better
Pos.		2016 % RDP PPP
1	S. Korea	4.2949
2	Israel	4.1149
3	Japan	3.5849
	...
15	Australia	2.2550
16=	Singapore	2.0051
16=	Czechia	2.0049
18	Netherlands	1.9749
19	Iceland	1.8949
20=	Norway	1.7049
20=	UK	1.7049
22	Canada	1.6149
	Europe Avg	1.32
	World Avg	0.84
q=126.

Secondary Education Higher is better52
Pos.		201852
1=	Luxembourg	100.0%
1=	Estonia	100.0%
1=	Austria	100.0%
	...
46	Mongolia	88.8%
47	Bahamas	88.4%
48	Ireland	88.3%
49	Netherlands	88.3%
50	Cuba	87.4%
51	Poland	85.3%
52	Belgium	84.8%
53	UK	84.5%
	Europe Avg	88.3%
	World Avg	63.0%
q=169.

Length of Schooling Higher is better53
Pos.		2021 Years53
1	Australia	21.1
2	New Zealand	20.3
3	Greece	20.0
	...
7	Finland	19.1
8	Ireland	18.9
9	Denmark	18.7
10	Netherlands	18.7
11	Grenada	18.7
12	Turkey	18.3
13	Norway	18.2
14	Spain	17.9
	Europe Avg	16.1
	World Avg	13.5
q=193.

Intellectual Endeavours Lower is better33
Pos.		2017 Rank33
1	Ukraine	1
2	Czechia	2
3	Hungary	3
4	Denmark	4
5	UK	5
6	Austria	6
7	Finland	7
8	Netherlands	8
9	Belgium	9
10	Slovenia	10
11	Switzerland	11
12	New Zealand	12
	Europe Avg	31.3
	World Avg	82.0
q=163.

Maths, Science & Reading Higher is better54
Pos.		2015 Score54
1	Singapore	1655
2	Hong Kong	1598
3	Japan	1586
	...
11=	Ireland	1528
11=	Slovenia	1528
13	Germany	1524
14=	Netherlands	1524
15	Switzerland	1519
16	New Zealand	1517
17=	Norway	1513
17=	Denmark	1513
	Europe Avg	1417
	World Avg	1389
q=70.

Religiosity Lower is better55
Pos.		2018 %55
1	China	3
2	Estonia	6
3	Czechia	7
	...
21=	Vietnam	18
22	Bulgaria	19
23=	Norway	19
24	Netherlands	20
25=	Italy	21
25=	Belarus	21
27	Ireland	22
28=	Kazakhstan	22
	Europe Avg	25.8
	World Avg	54.3
q=106.

IQ Higher is better56
Pos.		200656
1=	Hong Kong	108
1=	Singapore	108
3	S. Korea	106
	...
8=	Iceland	101
8=	Switzerland	101
8=	Mongolia	101
11	Netherlands	100
12=	Norway	100
12=	Austria	100
12=	UK	100
15	New Zealand	99
	Europe Avg	96.6
	World Avg	85.6
q=138.

Technology and Information:

Internet Users Higher is better57
Pos.		201657
1	Iceland	100%
2	Faroe Islands	99%
3	Norway	98%
4	Bermuda	97%
5	Andorra	97%
6	Denmark	96%
7	Liechtenstein	96%
8	Luxembourg	95%
9	Netherlands	94%
10	Sweden	93%
11	Monaco	93%
12	UK	93%
	Europe Avg	76.7%
	World Avg	48.1%
q=201.

IT Security Lower is better58
Pos.		201358
1=	Ireland	0.11
1=	Luxembourg	0.11
1=	Belize	0.11
	...
65	Nepal	1.45
66	Afghanistan	1.45
67	Germany	1.46
68	Netherlands	1.47
69	Rwanda	1.50
70	Tanzania	1.50
71	Maldives	1.57
72	China	1.59
	Europe Avg	0.80
	World Avg	0.98

IPv6 Uptake Higher is better59
Pos.		2017 Ratio59
1	Belgium	55.4
2	Germany	41.8
3	Switzerland	35.1
	...
20	Trinidad & Tobago	14.5
21	Finland	14.1
22	Brazil	13.9
23	Netherlands	10.5
24	Czechia	10.1
25	New Zealand	9.7
26	Romania	8.7
27	Austria	7.5
	Europe Avg	8.11
	World Avg	3.82
q=176.

8. National Culture

#charity #corruption #happiness #morals #politics

World Giving Index Higher is better60
Pos.		2022 %60
1	Indonesia	68.0
2	Kenya	61.0
3	USA	59.0
	...
20=	Argentina	47.0
20=	Poland	47.0
22	Serbia	46.0
23=	Netherlands	46.0
23=	Jamaica	46.0
23=	Russia	46.0
23=	Iceland	46.0
23=	Honduras	46.0
	Europe Avg	39.0
	World Avg	39.6
q=125.

Corruption Higher is better61
Pos.		2022 Points61
1	Denmark	90.0
2=	Finland	87.0
2=	New Zealand	87.0
4	Norway	84.0
5=	Singapore	83.0
5=	Sweden	83.0
7	Switzerland	82.0
8	Netherlands	80.0
9	Germany	79.0
10=	Ireland	77.0
10=	Luxembourg	77.0
12	Hong Kong	76.0
	Europe Avg	57.61
	World Avg	42.98
q=180.

In the 1990s, 2000s and 2010s the Netherlands had the 8th-best average result per year in each of those decades, consistently remaining one the best countries in the world at resisting corruption.

Happiness Higher is better62
Pos.		2018 Score62
1	Finland	7.6
2	Norway	7.6
3	Denmark	7.6
4	Iceland	7.5
5	Switzerland	7.5
6	Netherlands	7.4
7	Canada	7.3
8	New Zealand	7.3
9	Sweden	7.3
10	Australia	7.3
11	Israel	7.2
12	Austria	7.1
	Europe Avg	6.06
	World Avg	5.38
q=156.

Creativity & Culture Lower is better33
Pos.		2017 Rank33
1	Belgium	1
2	Netherlands	2
3	Estonia	3
4	Switzerland	4
5	Sweden	5
6	Denmark	6
7	Austria	7
8	Ireland	8
9	Czechia	9
10	Luxembourg	10
11	UK	11
12	Portugal	12
	Europe Avg	35.0
	World Avg	82.0
q=163.

Open Trading, Aid & Development Lower is better33
Pos.		2017 Rank33
1	Ireland	1
2	Denmark	2
3	Sweden	3
4	Netherlands	4
5	Switzerland	5
6	Serbia	6
7	Belgium	7
8	Norway	8
9	Finland	9
10	Croatia	10
11	Georgia	11
12	Philippines	12
	Europe Avg	42.6
	World Avg	82.0
q=163.

9. Peace Versus Instability

#extremism #human_development #peace #politics #religious_violence #terrorism

Global Peace Index Lower is better63
Pos.		2023 Score63
1	Iceland	1.12
2	Denmark	1.31
3	Ireland	1.31
	...
13	Finland	1.40
14	Croatia	1.45
15	Germany	1.46
16	Netherlands	1.49
17	Bhutan	1.50
18	Hungary	1.51
19	Malaysia	1.51
20	Belgium	1.52
	Europe Avg	1.70
	World Avg	2.07
q=163.

Peacekeeping & Security Lower is better33
Pos.		2017 Rank33
1	Samoa	1
2	S. Africa	2
3	Tunisia	3
	...
24	Ecuador	24
25	Madagascar	25
26	Sri Lanka	26
27	Netherlands	27
28	Mongolia	28
29	Rwanda	29
30	Paraguay	30
31	Jordan	31
	Europe Avg	84.6
	World Avg	82.0
q=163.

Refugees & UN Treaties Lower is better33
Pos.		2017 Rank33
1	Austria	1
2	Germany	2
3	Netherlands	3
4	Sweden	4
5	Malta	5
6	Australia	6
7	Norway	7
8	Finland	8
9	Denmark	9
10	Switzerland	10
11	Canada	11
12	UK	12
	Europe Avg	37.8
	World Avg	82.0
q=163.

Impact of Terrorism Lower is better64
Pos.		2019 Score64
1	Togo	0.00
2	Mongolia	0.00
3	Swaziland	0.00
	...
71	Haiti	2.18
72	Kosovo	2.26
73	Japan	2.29
74	Netherlands	2.35
75	Ecuador	2.46
76	Kuwait	2.49
77	Malaysia	2.50
78	Brazil	2.53
	Europe Avg	1.62
	World Avg	2.78
q=150.

10. Economic Inequality and Poverty

#capitalism #economics #health #inequality #life_expectancy #social_development

Inequality in Life Expectancy Lower is better65
Pos.		201965
1	Iceland	2.40
2=	Singapore	2.50
2=	Hong Kong	2.50
	...
9	Norway	3.00
10=	S. Korea	3.00
10=	Spain	3.00
12	Netherlands	3.10
13=	Italy	3.10
14	Israel	3.30
15=	Luxembourg	3.40
15=	Ireland	3.40
	Europe Avg	4.86
	World Avg	14.59
q=184.

Income Inequality (Gini Coefficient) Lower is better66
Pos.		2017 %66
1	Ukraine	25.0
2=	Belarus	25.4
2=	Slovenia	25.4
	...
12	Belgium	27.7
13	Iceland	27.8
14=	Denmark	28.2
14=	Netherlands	28.2
16	Serbia	28.5
17	Timor-Leste (E. Timor)	28.7
18	Albania	29.0
19	Sweden	29.2
	Europe Avg	31.5
	World Avg	38.1
q=152.

11. Religion and Beliefs

#belief #buddhism #christianity #god #hinduism #islam #judaism #religion #religiosity #secularisation

Religiosity (2018)55
Pos.		Lower is better %55
1	China	3
2	Estonia	6
3	Czechia	7
	...
21=	Vietnam	18
22	Bulgaria	19
23=	Norway	19
24	Netherlands	20
25=	Italy	21
25=	Belarus	21
27	Ireland	22
28=	Kazakhstan	22
28=	Spain	22
30	Slovakia	23
31=	Ukraine	23
32	Canada	27
33=	Uzbekistan	29
33=	Uruguay	29
35	Poland	30
36	Serbia	34
	World Avg	54.3
q=106.

Disbelief In God (2007)67
Pos.		Higher is better %67
1	Vietnam	81
2	Japan	65
3	Sweden	64
4	Czechia	61
5	Estonia	49
6	Denmark	48
7	France	44
8	Belgium	43
9=	Netherlands	42
9=	Germany	42
9=	UK	42
12	Cuba	40
13	Slovenia	35
14	Bulgaria	34
15	Hungary	32
16	Norway	31
17	S. Korea	30
18	Finland	28
19	Russia	27
20	Australia	25
	World Avg	9.9
q=137.

Data from the Pew Forum, a professional polling outfit, states that in 2010 the religious makeup of this country was as follows in the table below₆₈:

Christian	50.6%
Muslim	6%
Hindu	0.5%
Buddhist	0.2%
Folk Religion	0.2%
Jewish	0.2%
Unaffiliated	42.1%

It appears that when asked "What religion are you" many give pollsters the 'correct' answer despite how they actually feel, and despite what they actually believe. Although 57.7% of the populace say they belong to a religion, only 20% say that they are religious when the question is phrased as "Is religion an important part of your daily life?".

For more on this phenomenon, see:

• "Institutionalized Religions Have Their Numbers Inflated by National Polls" by Vexen Crabtree

The CIA World Factbook has slightly different data, and states: Roman Catholic 30%, Protestant 20% (Dutch Reformed 11%, Calvinist 6%, other Protestant 3%), Muslim 5.8%, other 2.2%, none 42% (2006)₆₉.

The Netherlands has a long history of religious tolerance₇₀, for example, it was a safe haven for Jewish refugees from Christian persecution during the Spanish Inquisition in the 16th century₇₁. But the murder of Theo van Gogh "by a Muslim extremist in November 2004 led to a sharp reversal of public opinion, turning against immigration in general and Muslim immigration in particular"₇₀.

The International Humanist and Ethical Union produced a report in 2012 entitled "Freedom of Thought" (2012)₇₂, in which they document bias and prejudice at the national level that is based on religion, belief and/or lack of belief. Their entry for The Netherlands states:

“The constitution and other laws and policies protect freedom of religion or belief. However, it is a crime to engage in public speech that incites religious hatred. Article 137c of the Dutch Penal Code penalizes defamation of groups "because of their race, religion or convictions, their heterosexual or homosexual orientation or physical, psychological or mental disability..."

Article 137d criminalizes inciting "hatred or discrimination against persons or violence against person or property on the grounds of their race, religion or beliefs, their gender, their heterosexual or homosexual orientation or their physical, psychological or mental disability..." Article 429bis criminalizes display of "scornful blasphemy for insulting religious feelings" along public roads. Fines are to be levied, with prison for repeat offenders.”

"Freedom of Thought" by IHEU (2012)₇₃

Links:

• A List of All Religions and Belief Systems
• Secularisation Theory: Will Modern Society Reject Religion? What is Secularism?