When I first moved to the Netherlands in June 2022, I didn’t plan on becoming a data nerd. I just wanted a calmer life, better balance, and maybe fewer mass shootings.
But after nearly three years of actually living here, I started wondering: Was this just my personal experience, or does the data back it up?
So I started digging. And it turns out… the Netherlands doesn’t just feel better in a lot of ways—it actually ranks better in a lot of ways. Here’s how the two countries compare across the things that really matter.
🔹 Happiness
What it measures: Life satisfaction, social trust, mental health, freedom, generosity, and corruption perception
🇳🇱: Ranked #5
🇺🇸: Ranked #15
My take: The Dutch aren’t bouncing off the walls with joy—but they have this quiet contentment that’s hard to miss. It’s less “pursuit of happiness” and more “low-key satisfaction with a life that works.”
🔹 Healthcare
Index: World Health Organization (legacy) + Healthcare Access & Quality Index
What it measures: Life expectancy, access, quality, cost, patient outcomes
🇳🇱: Historically Top 10–15
🇺🇸: Usually Below #30, despite highest per-capita spending
My take: The U.S. has innovation. The Netherlands has accessibility. I haven’t paid $700 for an ER visit here. That alone feels revolutionary.
🔹 Work-Life Balance
Index: OECD Better Life Index
What it measures: Average hours worked, paid leave, personal time, work stress
🇳🇱: Ranks #1
🇺🇸: Ranks in the bottom tier
My take: Americans don’t have a work ethic problem—we have a rest ethic problem. The Dutch get their work done and then they go live their lives. It’s not laziness. It’s priorities.
🔹 Safety & Gun Violence
Index: Global Peace Index
What it measures: Homicide rate, violent crime, political stability, weapons per capita
🇳🇱: Ranked #16 (Global Peace Index 2023)
🇺🇸: Ranked #131
My take: No place is crime-free, but walking home at midnight here feels very different than walking home at midnight in most U.S. cities. And the absence of mass shootings? Hard not to notice.
🔹 Corruption & Trust in Institutions
Index: Transparency International – Corruption Perceptions Index (2024)
What it measures: Perceived corruption in government and public services
🇳🇱: Ranked #5
🇺🇸: Ranked #26
My take: Dutch bureaucracy is annoying sometimes, but it’s rarely corrupt. When I deal with government here, I don’t feel like I’m being tricked. That’s… new.
🔹 Transportation & Infrastructure
Measured by: Public transit quality, cycling infrastructure, road maintenance, environmental impact
🇳🇱: Trains, trams, and world-class bike networks
🇺🇸: Car-dependent systems, aging infrastructure
My take: I haven’t driven in a year, and I don’t miss it. The U.S. builds for vehicles. The Netherlands builds for people.
🔹 Environmental Performance
What it measures: Air quality, water safety, sustainability, climate action
🇳🇱: Ranked #11
🇺🇸: Ranked #38
My take: The Netherlands isn’t perfect (it’s still dealing with nitrogen issues), but it’s miles ahead of the U.S. in climate awareness, bike-first infrastructure, and environmental planning. You feel it every time you walk or ride through a city here.
🔹 Cost of Living vs Value of Life
No single index—this is lived experience
Taxes are higher here. Groceries might be more. Rent is a challenge.
But: Healthcare is affordable. Public transport saves thousands. No car = no gas, insurance, parking. And life just feels less financially punishing. You get more for what you pay.
🟩 Final Score?
Depends on what you value.
But for me? One of the primary reasons I came here was to find a calmer, saner, more livable life.
The numbers—and my own nervous system—say I found it.
