Editing Netherlands (section)

==Demographics==
{{Main|Demography of the Netherlands|Ageing of the Netherlands|Dutch people}}
[[File:Nederlandse supporters tijdens Wereld Kampioenschappen voetbal 1974, Bestanddeelnr 254-9518.jpg|thumb|Dutch people in 1974]]
The Netherlands had an estimated population of 17,947,406 as of 31 November 2023.<ref name="RegionalPop">{{cite web|url=https://www.cbs.nl/en-gb/figures/detail/83474ENG|title=Population dynamics; month and year|date=4 January 2024 |publisher=[[Statistics Netherlands]]|language=Dutch|accessdate=11 January 2024}}</ref> It is the [[Area and population of European countries|6th most densely populated]] country in Europe and the [[List of sovereign states and dependent territories by population density|33rd most densely populated]] country in the world with a density of {{convert|424|/km2}}. Between 1900 and 1950, the country's population almost doubled from 5.1 to 10 million. From 1950 to 2000, the population further increased, to 15.9&nbsp;million.<ref>[http://statline.cbs.nl/StatWeb/publication/?DM=SLEN&PA=37556ENG&D1=0-44,53-60&D2=1,11,21,31,41,51,61,71,81,91,101&LA=EN&VW=T CBS Statline – Population; history]. [[Statistics Netherlands]]. Retrieved on 8 March 2009.</ref>

The [[fertility rate]] in the Netherlands is 1.78 children per woman (2018 estimate),<ref name="cia-worldfactbook-nl">{{cite web |title=The World Factbook – Netherlands |url=https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/netherlands/ |access-date=2 February 2021 |publisher=[[Central Intelligence Agency]]}}</ref> which is high compared with many other European countries, but [[sub-replacement fertility|below the rate of 2.1 children per woman required for natural population replacement]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://ourworldindata.org/grapher/children-born-per-woman?year=1800&country=ITA|title=Total Fertility Rate around the world over the last centuries|author=Max Roser|date=2014|work=[[Our World In Data]], [[Gapminder Foundation]]|access-date=7 May 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180807185906/https://ourworldindata.org/grapher/children-born-per-woman?year=1800&country=ITA|archive-date=7 August 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref> The Netherlands has one of the [[Ageing of the Netherlands|oldest populations]] in the world, with the average age of 42.7 years.<ref name="cia-worldfactbook-nl"/> [[Life expectancy]] is high in the Netherlands: 84.3 years for newborn girls and 79.7 for boys (2020 estimate).<ref name="cia-worldfactbook-nl"/> The Dutch are the [[Average human height by country|tallest people in the world]], by nationality,<ref name="Science 2015-04-07">{{cite news |last=Enserink |first=Martin |date=7 April 2015 |title=Did natural selection make the Dutch the tallest people on the planet? |newspaper=[[Science (journal)|Science]] |location=Amsterdam |url=https://www.science.org/content/article/did-natural-selection-make-dutch-tallest-people-planet |access-date=9 April 2015}}</ref> with an average [[Human height|height]] of {{convert|1.81|m|ftin|1|abbr=out}} for men and {{convert|1.67|m|ftin|1|abbr=out}} for women in 2009.<ref>{{cite web |title=Reported health and lifestyle |url=http://statline.cbs.nl/StatWeb/publication/?VW=T&DM=SLNL&PA=03799&D1=242,254,267-270&D2=0-17&HD=081103-1603&HDR=T.&STB=G1 |access-date=12 August 2012 |publisher=Centraal Bureau voor de Statistiek}}</ref> The average height of young men in the Netherlands increased from 5 feet, 4 inches to approximately 6 feet between the 1850s until the early 2000s.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Fogel |first=Robert |title=The Escape from Hunger and Premature Death, 1700—2100 |publisher=Cambridge University Press |year=2004 |pages=41 |language=English}}</ref>

The country has a [[Human migration|migration]] rate of 1.9 migrants per 1,000 inhabitants per year.<ref name="cia-worldfactbook-nl" /> The majority of the population of the Netherlands is ethnically [[Dutch people|Dutch]]. In 2022, the population was 74.8% ethnically Dutch, 8.3% other European, 2.4% [[Turks in the Netherlands|Turkish]], 2.4% Moroccan, 2.0% Indonesian, 2.0% [[Surinamese people|Surinamese]], and 8.1% others.<ref name="auto"/> Some 150,000 to 200,000 people living in the Netherlands are [[expatriate]]s, mostly concentrated in and around [[Amsterdam]] and [[The Hague]], now constituting almost 10% of the population of these cities.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.verhurenaanexpats.nl/verhuren-aan-expats/expats-de-feiten/|title=Expats in Nederland|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141019004614/http://www.verhurenaanexpats.nl/verhuren-aan-expats/expats-de-feiten/|archive-date=19 October 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.onsamsterdam.nl/tijdschrift/jaargang-2011/1158-nummer-11-12-november-december-2011.html?start=4|title=Feiten en cijfers over immigratie – Pagina 5|work=Ons Amsterdam|access-date=30 June 2014|archive-date=18 June 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180618025728/http://www.onsamsterdam.nl/tijdschrift/jaargang-2011/1158-nummer-11-12-november-december-2011.html?start=4|url-status=dead}}</ref> Significant minorities in the country include [[Frisians]] 700,000, [[Jews]] 41,000-45,000 and the [[Roma people|Roma]] and the [[Sinti]] 40,000.<ref>{{cite web|url= https://minorityrights.org/country/netherlands/|title= Netherlands - World Directory of Minorities & Indigenous Peoples|date= 19 June 2015}}</ref>

[[File:Grote drukte zomercarnaval Rotterdam.jpg|thumb|In [[Rotterdam]] almost half the population has an immigrant background.]]
According to [[Eurostat]], in 2010 there were 1.8 million [[Foreign born|foreign-born residents]] in the Netherlands, corresponding to 11.1% of the total population. Of these, 1.4 million (8.5%) were born outside the EU and 0.43 million (2.6%) were born in another EU Member State.<ref>Vasileva, Katya (2011) [http://epp.eurostat.ec.europa.eu/cache/ITY_OFFPUB/KS-SF-11-034/EN/KS-SF-11-034-EN.PDF 6.5% of the EU population are foreigners and 9.4% are born abroad] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120128101046/http://epp.eurostat.ec.europa.eu/cache/ITY_OFFPUB/KS-SF-11-034/EN/KS-SF-11-034-EN.PDF |date=28 January 2012}}, Eurostat, Statistics in focus vol. 34.</ref> In 2022, there were 4.4 million residents in the Netherlands with at least one foreign-born parent.<ref>{{cite web |title=Immigration, emigration, and migration balance in the Netherlands from 1995 to 2022 |url=https://www.statista.com/statistics/525434/netherlands-total-immigration-total-emigration-and-migration-balance/ |publisher=Statista Research Department}}</ref> Over half the young people in Amsterdam and Rotterdam have a non-western background.<ref>{{cite web |title=Half of young big-city dwellers have non-western background |date=August 2006 |url=https://www.cbs.nl/en-gb/news/2006/31/half-of-young-big-city-dwellers-have-non-western-background |publisher=Centraal Bureau voor de Statistiek (CBS)}}</ref> Dutch people, or [[Dutch diaspora|descendants of Dutch people]], are found in migrant communities worldwide, notably in South Africa and the United States.<ref>{{cite web |author=American FactFinder, United States Census Bureau |url=http://factfinder.census.gov/servlet/ADPTable?_bm=y&-geo_id=01000US&-ds_name=ACS_2006_EST_G00_%2526amp%253B-_lang%253Den%2526amp%253B-_caller%253Dgeoselect%2526amp%253B-format%253D |title=Census 2006 ACS Ancestry estimates |publisher=Factfinder.census.gov |access-date=29 April 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110428095854/http://factfinder.census.gov/servlet/ADPTable?_bm=y&-geo_id=01000US&-ds_name=ACS_2006_EST_G00_&amp%3B-_lang=en&amp%3B-_caller=geoselect&amp%3B-format= |archive-date=28 April 2011}}</ref><ref>[http://countrystudies.us/south-africa/49.htm South Africa – Afrikaans Speakers]. ''Library of Congress.''</ref>

The [[Randstad]] is the country's largest [[conurbation]] located in the west of the country and contains the four largest cities: [[Amsterdam]] in the province [[North Holland]], [[Rotterdam]] and [[The Hague]] in the province [[South Holland]], and [[Utrecht (city)|Utrecht]] in the province [[Utrecht (province)|Utrecht]]. The Randstad has a population of about 8.2&nbsp;million inhabitants<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://opendata.cbs.nl/statline/#/CBS/nl/dataset/03759ned/table?dl=DA8F|title=CBS Statline|website=opendata.cbs.nl}}</ref> and is the [[List of metropolitan areas in Europe by population|5th largest metropolitan area]] in Europe. According to Dutch Central Statistics Bureau, in 2015, 28 per cent of the Dutch population had a spendable income above 45,000 euros (which does not include spending on health care or education).<ref>{{cite web|title=CBS – Income distribution – Extra|url=http://www.cbs.nl/en-GB/menu/themas/inkomen-bestedingen/cijfers/extra/inkomensverdeling.htm|website=www.cbs.nl|access-date=15 September 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150930184435/http://www.cbs.nl/en-GB/menu/themas/inkomen-bestedingen/cijfers/extra/inkomensverdeling.htm|archive-date=30 September 2015|df=dmy-all}}</ref>

{{Largest cities of the Netherlands}}

===Language===
{{Main|Languages of the Netherlands}}
[[File:Foreign languages Netherlands, 2005.png|thumb|upright=1.6|Knowledge of foreign languages in the Netherlands, among population 15 and older, in 2006<ref>Data taken from an EU survey. [http://ec.europa.eu/public_opinion/archives/ebs/ebs_243_en.pdf ebs_243_en.pdf] (europa.eu)</ref>]]<!-- the percentage for English in the report is 87% - NOT 89% -->
The official language of the Netherlands is [[Dutch language|Dutch]], which is spoken by the vast majority of inhabitants. The dialects most spoken in the Netherlands are the [[Brabantian dialect|Brabantian]]-[[Hollandic]] dialects.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.taalcanon.nl/vragen/hoeveel-dialecten-heeft-het-nederlands/ |title=Hoeveel dialecten heeft het Nederlands? &#124; Taalcanon |publisher=Taalcanon.nl |access-date=23 April 2014}}</ref>

Besides Dutch, [[West Frisian language|West Frisian]] is recognised as a second official language in the northern province of [[Friesland]] (''Fryslân'' in West Frisian).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rijksoverheid.nl/onderwerpen/erkende-talen/talen-in-nederland |title=Talen in Nederland – Erkende talen |publisher=rijksoverheid.nl |access-date=12 August 2014}}</ref> West Frisian has a formal status for government correspondence in that province. Four other languages are protected under the [[European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Languages |url=https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/about/archives/2021/field/languages/ |access-date=8 January 2023 |website=CIA – The World Factbook}}</ref> The first of these recognised regional languages is [[Dutch Low Saxon|Low Saxon]] (''Nedersaksisch'' in Dutch). Low Saxon consists of several dialects of the [[Low German]] language spoken in the north and east of the Netherlands, like [[Tweants]] in the region of [[Twente]], and [[Drents]] in the province of [[Drenthe]].

[[Limburgish]] is recognised as a regional language. It consists of Dutch varieties of [[Meuse-Rhenish]] and is spoken in the south-eastern province of [[Limburg (Netherlands)|Limburg]].<ref name="international2000" /> [[Yiddish]] and the [[Romani language]] were recognised in 1996 as non-territorial languages.<ref name=":3">"The Kingdom of the Netherlands further declares that the principles enumerated in Part II of the Charter will be applied to the Lower-Saxon languages used in the Netherlands, and, in accordance with Article 7, paragraph 5, to Yiddish and the Romanes languages." [http://conventions.coe.int/Treaty/Commun/ListeDeclarations.asp?NT=148&CM=8&DF=23/01/05&CL=ENG&VL=1 Netherlands: Declaration contained in the instrument of acceptance, deposited on 2 May 1996 – Or. Engl.] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120522083136/http://conventions.coe.int/Treaty/Commun/ListeDeclarations.asp?NT=148&CM=8&DF=23%2F01%2F05&CL=ENG&VL=1 |date=22 May 2012 }}, List of declarations made with respect to treaty No. 148 – [[European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages]]</ref>

[[English in the Netherlands|English]] has a formal status in the special municipalities of [[Saba (island)|Saba]] and [[Sint Eustatius]]. It is widely spoken on these islands. [[Papiamento]] has a formal status in the special municipality of [[Bonaire]].<ref name=":3" />

The Netherlands has a long tradition of learning foreign languages, formalised in Dutch education laws. Some 90% of the total population [[English in the Netherlands|are able to converse in English]], 70% in German, and 29% in French.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ec.europa.eu/public_opinion/archives/ebs/ebs_237.en.pdf|title=European Union survey|website=Ec.europa.eu|access-date=3 August 2017|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070128095746/http://ec.europa.eu/public_opinion/archives/ebs/ebs_237.en.pdf|archive-date=28 January 2007}}</ref> English is a mandatory course in all secondary schools.<ref name="rijksoverheid">{{cite web|title=Foreign languages in secondary education |work=Wat is het aanbod aan vreemde talen in de onderbouw van het voortgezet onderwijs (vo)? |publisher=Rijksoverheid |url=http://www.rijksoverheid.nl/documenten-en-publicaties/vragen-en-antwoorden/wat-is-het-aanbod-aan-vreemde-talen-in-de-onderbouw-van-het-voortgezet-onderwijs-vo.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110429185145/http://www.rijksoverheid.nl/documenten-en-publicaties/vragen-en-antwoorden/wat-is-het-aanbod-aan-vreemde-talen-in-de-onderbouw-van-het-voortgezet-onderwijs-vo.html |archive-date=29 April 2011 |access-date=3 May 2010 |url-status=dead |language=nl}}</ref> In most lower level secondary school educations ([[voorbereidend middelbaar beroepsonderwijs|vmbo]]), one additional modern foreign language is mandatory during the first two years.<ref name="Schedule of the Central Exams of 2009">[http://www.examenblad.nl/9336000/1/j9vvhinitagymgn_m7mvh57glpdohx6_n11vg41h1h4i9qe/vhl5jftd1sx8 Schedule of the Central Exams of 2009] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160820060030/http://www.examenblad.nl/9336000/1/j9vvhinitagymgn_m7mvh57glpdohx6_n11vg41h1h4i9qe/vhl5jftd1sx8 |date=20 August 2016 }}, Examenblad</ref> In higher level secondary schools ([[Hoger algemeen voortgezet onderwijs|havo]] and [[Voorbereidend wetenschappelijk onderwijs|vwo]]), the acquisition of two additional modern foreign language skills is mandatory. Besides English, the standard modern languages are French and German, although schools can replace one of these with Chinese, Spanish, Russian, Italian, [[Turkish language|Turkish]] or [[Arabic]].<ref name="Examenblad talen vwo 2019">[https://www.examenblad.nl/item/talen/2019?sectorid=vg41h1h4i9qe Examenblad talen, vwo in 2019] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230403211152/https://www.examenblad.nl/item/talen/2019?sectorid=vg41h1h4i9qe |date=3 April 2023 }}, Examenblad</ref> Additionally, schools in Friesland teach and have exams in [[West Frisian language|West Frisian]].<ref>{{Cite web |author=Ministerie van Binnenlandse Zaken en Koninkrijksrelaties |date=14 July 2020 |title=De Friese taal – Erkende talen – Rijksoverheid.nl |url=https://www.rijksoverheid.nl/onderwerpen/erkende-talen/de-friese-taal |access-date=8 January 2023 |website=rijksoverheid.nl |language=nl-NL}}</ref>

===Religion===
{{Main|Religion in the Netherlands}}
{{Pie chart
|thumb = right
|caption = Religious identification in the Netherlands (2020)<ref name="cbs2021">{{Cite web|url=https://longreads.cbs.nl/the-netherlands-in-numbers-2021/what-are-the-major-religions/|title=What are the major religions? – The Netherlands in numbers 2021|website=CBS|language=en,nl|access-date=15 September 2022}}</ref>
|label1 = [[Irreligious]]
|value1 = 55.4
|color1 = Gray
|label2 = [[Catholic]]
|value2 = 19.8
|color2 = Purple
|label3 = [[Protestant]]
|value3 = 14.4
|color3 = DarkBlue
|label4 = [[Islam in the Netherlands|Muslim]]
|value4 = 5.2
|color4 = Darkgreen
|label5 = Other
|value5 = 5.1
|color5 = Gold
}}
Forms of Christianity have dominated religious life in what is now the Netherlands for more than 1,200 years,<ref>Milis, L.J.R., "A Long Beginning: The Low Countries Through the Tenth Century" in J.C.H. Blom & E. Lamberts ''History of the Low Countries'', pp. 6–18, Berghahn Books, 1999. {{ISBN|978-1-84545-272-8}}</ref> and by the middle of the sixteenth century the country was strongly Protestant ([[Calvinist]]).{{sfn|Israel|1995|pp=361–395}} The population was predominantly Christian until the late 20th century.<ref name=Creationism>{{cite book|last=Numbers|first=Ronald L.|year=2014|isbn=9781421415628|title=Creationism in Europe|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=uSuhBQAAQBAJ&q=netherlands+protestant+country&pg=PA65|publisher=Johns Hopkins University Press}}</ref> Although significant religious diversity remains, there has been a decline of religious adherence.<ref name="cbs2021"/>

In 2020, [[Statistics Netherlands]] found that 55% of the total population declared itself [[non-religious]]. Groups that represent the non-religious in the Netherlands include [[Humanistisch Verbond]]. [[Catholic]]s comprised 19.8% of the total population, [[Protestants]] (14.4%). [[Muslim]]s comprised 5.2% of the total population and followers of other Christian denominations and other religions (like Judaism, [[Buddhism]] and [[Hinduism]]) comprised the remaining 5.1%.<ref name="cbs2021"/> A 2015 survey from another source found that Protestants outnumbered Catholics.<ref>{{Cite journal|doi=10.1177/0021140019872340|title=The Challenge of a Church Going into Liquidation|year=2019|last1=De Groot|first1=Kees|journal=Irish Theological Quarterly|volume=84|issue=4|pages=409–423|s2cid=220161067|doi-access=free}}</ref>

The southern provinces of [[North Brabant]] and [[Limburg (Netherlands)|Limburg]] have historically been strongly Catholic, and some residents consider the Catholic Church as a base for their [[Cultural Christian|cultural identity]]. Protestantism in the Netherlands consists of a number of churches within various traditions. The largest of these is the [[Protestant Church in the Netherlands]] (PKN), a [[United and uniting churches|united]] church which is [[Calvinist]] and [[Lutheran]] in orientation.<ref name="CBS 2009">{{cite news |url=http://statline.cbs.nl/StatWeb/publication/?DM=SLNL&PA=37944&D1=0-5,10&D2=29-40&VW=T |title=Kerkelijke gezindte en kerkbezoek; vanaf 1849; 18 jaar of ouder |date=15 October 2010}}</ref> It was formed in 2004 as a merger of the [[Dutch Reformed Church]], the [[Reformed Churches in the Netherlands]] and [[Evangelical Lutheran Church in the Kingdom of the Netherlands|a smaller Lutheran Church]]. Several orthodox Calvinist and liberal churches did not merge into the PKN. Although Christianity has become a minority in the Netherlands, it contains a [[Bible Belt (Netherlands)|Bible Belt]] from [[Zeeland]] to the northern parts of the province [[Overijssel]], in which Protestant beliefs remain strong. Several Christian religious holidays are national holidays (Christmas, Easter, [[Pentecost]], and the [[Ascension of Jesus]]).<ref name="auto3">{{cite web|url=http://www.beleven.org/feesten/lijsten/landen.php?land=Nederland |title=Feestdagen Nederland |publisher=Beleven.org |access-date=27 January 2010}}</ref>

[[Islam]] is the second largest religion in the state.<ref name=CBS2>{{cite web|url=http://www.cbs.nl/nl-NL/menu/themas/vrije-tijd-cultuur/publicaties/artikelen/archief/2012/2012-3759-wm.htm|title=Een op de zes bezoekt regelmatig kerk of moskee|publisher=Central Bureau of Statistics, Netherlands|year=2012|access-date=30 March 2014}}</ref> The Muslim population increased from the 1960 as a result of large numbers of [[Demography of the Netherlands#Migration and origin groups|migrant workers]]. This included migrant workers from [[Turkey]] and [[Morocco]], as well as migrants from former [[Dutch Empire|Dutch colonies]], such as [[Surinam (Dutch colony)|Surinam]] and [[Indonesia]]. During the 1990s, [[Muslim refugees]] arrived from countries like [[Bosnia and Herzegovina]], [[Iran]], [[Iraq]], [[Somalia]], and [[Afghanistan]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.scp.nl/publicaties/boeken/9037702597/Godsdienstige_veranderingen.pdf |title=Godsdienstige veranderingen in Nederland |access-date=17 May 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070125142251/http://www.scp.nl/publicaties/boeken/9037702597/Godsdienstige_veranderingen.pdf |archive-date=25 January 2007}}</ref> Since 2000 there has been raised awareness of religion, mainly due to [[Islamic extremism]].<ref>Knippenberg, Hans "The Changing Religious Landscape of Europe" edited by Knippenberg published by Het Spinhuis, Amsterdam 2005 {{ISBN|978-90-5589-248-8}}, pages 102–104</ref>

Another religion practised is [[Hinduism]], with around 215,000 adherents (slightly over 1% of the population). Most of these are [[Indo-Surinamese]]. There are sizeable populations of Hindu immigrants from India and [[Sri Lanka]], and Western adherents of [[Hinduism in the West|Hinduism-orientated new religious movements]] such as [[International Society for Krishna Consciousness|Hare Krishnas]]. The Netherlands has an estimated 250,000 [[Buddhism in the Netherlands|Buddhists]] or people strongly attracted to this religion, mainly ethnic Dutch people. There are about 30,000 [[History of the Jews in the Netherlands|Jews]] in the Netherlands, though the [[Institute for Jewish Policy Research]] estimates range from 30,000 to 63,000, depending on how the number is calculated.<ref>{{Cite web |title=How many Jews live in The Netherlands? {{!}} JPR |url=https://www.jpr.org.uk/countries/how-many-jews-in-the-netherlands |access-date=2023-11-20 |website=jpr.org.uk |date=7 April 2022 |language=en}}</ref>

The Constitution of the Netherlands guarantees freedom of education, which means that all schools that adhere to general quality criteria receive the same government funding. This includes schools based on religious principles by religious groups (especially Catholic and Protestant). Three political parties in the Dutch parliament, ([[Christian Democratic Appeal|CDA]], and two small parties, [[ChristianUnion]] and [[Reformed Political Party|SGP]]) are based upon the Christian belief. Several Christian religious holidays are national holidays (Christmas, Easter, [[Pentecost]] and the [[Ascension of Jesus]]).<ref name="auto3"/>

A survey in December 2014 concluded that for the first time there were more atheists (25%) than theists (17%) in the Netherlands, while the remainder of the population was agnostic (31%) or [[ietsism|ietsistic]] (27%).<ref name="trouw.nl">{{cite news|last1=van Beek|first1=Marije|title=Ongelovigen halen de gelovigen in|url=http://www.trouw.nl/tr/nl/5091/Religie/article/detail/3830831/2015/01/16/Ongelovigen-halen-de-gelovigen-in.dhtml|access-date=21 April 2015|work=Dossier Relige|publisher=der Verdieping Trouw|date=16 January 2015}}</ref> In 2015, a vast majority of the inhabitants of the Netherlands (82%) said they had never or almost never visited a church, and 59% stated that they had never been to a church. Of all the people questioned, 24% saw themselves as atheist, an increase of 11% compared to the previous study done in 2006.<ref name="BerntsA">{{cite book|last1=Bernts|first1=Tom|last2=Berghuijs|first2=Joantine|title=God in Nederland 1966–2015|date=2016|publisher=Ten Have|isbn=978-90-259-0524-8}}</ref> The expected rise of spirituality has come to a halt according to research in 2015. In 2006, 40% of respondents considered themselves spiritual; in 2015 this has dropped to 31%. The number who believed in the existence of a higher power fell from 36% to 28% over the same period.<ref name="nos.nl">{{cite news|title=Hoe God (bijna) verdween uit Nederland|url=http://nos.nl/artikel/2092498-hoe-god-bijna-verdween-uit-nederland.html|access-date=3 April 2016|publisher=NOS|date=13 March 2016}}</ref>

===Education===
{{Main|Education in the Netherlands}}
Education in the Netherlands is compulsory between the ages of 5 and 16. If a child does not have a "starting qualification" (HAVO, VWO or MBO 2+ degree) they are still forced to attend classes until they achieve such a qualification or reach the age of 18.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rijksoverheid.nl/onderwerpen/leerplicht/leerplicht-en-kwalificatieplicht|title=Leerplicht en kwalificatieplicht|website=Rijksoverheid.nl|access-date=9 June 2021|date=10 July 2020}}</ref>

Children in the Netherlands attend elementary school from (on average) ages 4 to 12. It has eight grades and the first is facultative. Based on an aptitude test, the eighth grade teacher's recommendation and the opinion of the pupil's parents or caretakers, a choice is made for one of the three main streams of secondary education.

[[File:Utrecht-Uithof, from CambridgeLaan 01.jpg|thumb|View on the Utrecht Science Park of [[Utrecht University]]. The building in the centre is the library.]]
The [[Voorbereidend middelbaar beroepsonderwijs|VMBO]] has four grades and is subdivided over several levels. Successfully completing the VMBO results in a low-level vocational degree that grants access to the MBO. The MBO (middle-level applied education) is a form of education that primarily focuses on teaching a practical trade or a vocational degree. With the MBO certification, a student can apply for the HBO. The [[Hoger algemeen voortgezet onderwijs|HAVO]] has 5 grades and allows for admission to the HBO. The HBO (higher professional education) are [[Vocational university|universities of professional education]] (applied sciences) that award professional bachelor's degrees; similar to polytechnic degrees. An HBO degree gives access to the university system. The [[Voorbereidend wetenschappelijk onderwijs|VWO]] (comprising [[Atheneum (school)|atheneum]] and [[Gymnasium (school)|gymnasium]]) has 6 grades and prepares for studying at a research university. Universities offer a three-year bachelor's degree, followed by a one or two-year master's degree, which in turn can be followed by a [[doctoral degree]] programme.

Doctoral candidates in the Netherlands are generally non-tenured employees of a university. All Dutch schools and universities are publicly funded and managed with the exception of religious schools. Dutch universities have a tuition fee of about 2,000 euros a year for students from the Netherlands and the EU, and 15,000 euros for non-EU students.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.timeshighereducation.com/student/advice/cost-studying-university-netherlands|title=The cost of studying at a university in the Netherlands|date=26 January 2022|website=Student}}</ref>

===Healthcare===
{{Main|Healthcare in the Netherlands}}
[[File:Anthonie van Leeuwenhoek (1632-1723). Natuurkundige te Delft Rijksmuseum SK-A-957.jpeg|thumb|upright=.8|Portrait of [[Antonie van Leeuwenhoek]] (1632–1723), known as "the father of microbiology"]] 	
[[File:Meander MC noordzijde 1.JPG|thumb|A public hospital in [[Amersfoort]]]]
In 2016, the Netherlands maintained its position at the top of the annual [[Euro Health Consumer Index]] (EHCI), which compares healthcare systems in Europe, scoring 916 of a maximum 1,000 points. The Netherlands has been among the top three countries in each report published since 2005. On 48 indicators such as patient rights and information, accessibility, prevention and outcomes, the Netherlands secured its top position among 37 European countries for six years in a row.<ref name="healthpowerhouse.com">{{cite web|url=https://healthpowerhouse.com/|title=Health Care System's Indexes and reports|website=Health Consumer Powerhouse|access-date=26 August 2016|archive-date=4 March 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220304194538/https://healthpowerhouse.com/|url-status=dead}}</ref>
The Netherlands was ranked first in a study in 2009 comparing the [[health care system]]s of the United States, Australia, Canada, Germany and New Zealand.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE65M0SU20100623 |publisher=Reuters |title=U.S. scores dead last again in healthcare study |date=23 June 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://content.healthaffairs.org/content/26/6/w717.full.pdf+html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120110040524/http://content.healthaffairs.org/content/26/6/w717.full.pdf+html|url-status=dead|archive-date=10 January 2012|title=Toward Higher-Performance Health Systems: Adults' Health Care Experiences In Seven Countries, 2007}}</ref>

According to the [[Health Consumer Powerhouse]] (HCP), patients have a great degree of freedom from where to buy their health insurance, to where they get their healthcare. Healthcare decisions are made in dialogue between patients and healthcare professionals.<ref name="healthpowerhouse.com"/> Healthcare in the Netherlands is split 3 ways: in somatic and mental health care and in 'cure' (short term) and 'care' (long term). Home doctors (''huisartsen'', comparable to [[general practitioner]]s) form the largest part of the first level. Being referred by a member of the first level is mandatory for access to the second and third level.<ref name="Boot">J.M. Boot, 'De Nederlandse Gezondheidszorg', Bohn Stafleu van Loghum 2011</ref> The health care system is, in comparison to other Western countries{{Example needed|date=December 2024}}, effective but not the most cost-effective.<ref name=BCG>Boston Consulting Group, 'Zorg voor Waarde', 2011.</ref>
Healthcare is financed by a dual system that came into effect in January 2006. Long-term treatments, especially those that involve semi-permanent hospitalisation, and disability costs such as wheelchairs, are covered by a state-controlled mandatory insurance. In 2009 this insurance covered 27% of all health care expenses.<ref name="statline.cbs.nl">{{cite web|url=http://statline.cbs.nl/StatWeb/publication/?DM=SLNL&PA=71914ned&D1=37-43&D2=a&HDR=G1&STB=T&VW=T|title=Zorgrekeningen; uitgaven (in lopende en constante prijzen) en financiering|date=20 May 2010|publisher=Centraal Bureau voor de Statistiek: StatLine|language=nl|access-date=16 May 2011}}</ref> Other sources of health care payment are taxes (14%), out of pocket payments (9%), additional optional health insurance packages (4%) and a range of other sources (4%).<ref name="statline.cbs.nl"/>
Health insurance in the Netherlands is mandatory. Healthcare in the Netherlands is covered by two statutory forms of insurance:
* Zorgverzekeringswet (ZVW), often called "basic insurance", covers common medical care.
* Algemene Wet Bijzondere Ziektekosten (AWBZ) covers long-term nursing and care.

While Dutch residents are automatically insured by the government for AWBZ, everyone has to buy their own basic healthcare insurance, except those under 18 who are automatically covered under their parents. Insurance companies are obliged to provide a package with a defined set of insured treatments.<ref name="minvws.nl">{{cite web|url=http://www.minvws.nl/en/themes/health-insurance-system/|title=Together healthy, fit and resilient|publisher=Ministerie van Volksgezondheid|work=minvws.nl|access-date=26 August 2016|date=18 February 2010}}</ref> This insurance covers 41% of all health care expenses.<ref name="statline.cbs.nl"/> Insurers have to offer a universal package for everyone over 18, regardless of age or state of health – it is illegal to refuse an application or impose special conditions. The funding burden for all short-term health care coverage is carried 50% by employers, 45% by the insured person and 5% by the government. Those on low incomes receive compensation to help them pay their insurance. Premiums paid by the insured are about €135 per month.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.zorgwijzer.nl/faq/expats|title=Expat health insurance|website=Zorgwijzer}}</ref>