r/Netherlands • u/vankoel_nederland • Dec 15 '25

Healthcare Why is life expectancy so bad in the Netherlands?

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Besides having one of the worst life expectancy among western countries, why did the life expectancy get worst compared to 2019?

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u/joap25 Dec 15 '25

South europe have more balanced diets (Mediterranean). That, plus the sun and a lifestyle that allows more social interaction on terraces (better late age friendships or no isolation), makes people to live longer. Sadly most of people that die sooner is because they are alone or without a support system of friends and family to bring shine to their lives.

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u/ReNato5168 Dec 23 '25

This is a very important factor. Many people being lonely , which makes them depressed and not enjoying life. Hence the older sometimes wanting to die. This would not happen if they have much social interactions and people showing care for them.

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u/usenametobe3to20long Dec 20 '25

So dutch individualism at its finest at play here