Facts and figures

This page provides information about relevant numbers related to youth policy in the Netherlands.

Youth

In the Netherlands, the term youth applies to children and young people from 0 up to the age of 25. In 2018 there were 4.9 million children and young people in this age group in 2018. In comparison with 2017, there is a slight increase of the total population as well as the amount of children and young people. Still, as in most other industrialized countries, the proportion of youth in the total population is decreasing.

Overall, 85 percent of Dutch children and young people are doing fine. They grow up with normal development opportunities and without the need for professional support or care. 15 percent of young people and their families need guidance and support in parenting, health care or other youth services. For most of them this concerns minor upbringing issues in health, education or parenting support, which can be addressed through preventive services or basic care. Almost 5 percent of them  need more specialized care, which can be provided within their own living environment (highly preferable), in ambulant care, in residential settings, in child protection, in juvenile justice settings, in foster care or through other services.

More facts and figures about youth and parenting

Statistic Netherlands (CBS)

Provides information about children and youth in its Youth Monitor and publishes an annual report about it. The annual report is a joint publication with the Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport (VWS). 

Read more in the Youth Monitor 2022 (Statistics Netherlands - CBS).

Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HBSC)

Every four years, HBSC conducts comparative research among young people (11-, 13- and 15/16-year old boys and girls) in 48 countries across Europe and North-America. Compared to other countries, young people in the Netherlands rate their own health and well-being very positively. In 2017 they consider themselves to be in good health (89.5 percent in primary school, 81.6 percent in secondary school) and give their quality of life high ratings (on a scale of 1 to 10: 8.3 in primary school, 7.6 in secondary school). Compared to four years before in 2013 Dutch young people are still happy with their social relations. But there are also some worrying developments. Young people experience more pressure through school work, use condoms less frequently and 15- and 16-year-olds still drink a lot of alcohol. 

Read more about the Netherlands membership of HSBC.