Compare countries · Denmark vs Netherlands
Denmark vs Netherlands
Denmark(Europe)·
Netherlands(Europe)
Across 13 comparable indicators: Denmark leads on 4, Netherlands on 5, 4 effectively tied. Which trade-offs matter is yours to weigh; the rows below show where each country wins, with sources.
Quick answers
Is Denmark cheaper than Netherlands?
Numbeo's 2026 cost-of-living index (NYC = 100) puts Denmark at 78.9 and Netherlands at 73.4. Netherlands is about 7% cheaper overall.
Is Denmark or Netherlands safer?
On the Global Peace Index (lower = more peaceful), Denmark scores 1.50 and Netherlands scores 1.57. Denmark ranks as the more peaceful of the two.
Which has the higher quality of life, Denmark or Netherlands?
On the UN Human Development Index, Denmark scores 0.962 and Netherlands scores 0.955. The two are effectively tied. Single indexes hide trade-offs; the full comparison above shows where each country wins.
What is life like in Denmark compared to Netherlands?
GNI per capita runs $77,190 in Denmark against $68,530 in Netherlands; people live 82.3 years on average against 82.0; Numbeo users rate healthcare 77 against 82. Those are national averages and they hide the thing you actually feel: capital-city costs run well ahead of the national figure in most countries, and rural provision of healthcare and internet often lags the number shown here. The table below splits it indicator by indicator.
Head to head
Cost of living index
Numbeo 2026 (NYC = 100)
Denmark
78.9
Worse than 94% of countries
Netherlands
73.4
Worse than 92% of countries
Netherlands: 7% cheaper overall.
Rent index
Numbeo 2026 (NYC = 100)
Denmark
28.9
Worse than 87% of countries
Netherlands
38.7
Worse than 93% of countries
Denmark: 25% cheaper rents.
Peace — Global Peace Index
Institute for Economics & Peace (lower = more peaceful)
Denmark
1.50
Better than 94% of countries
Netherlands
1.57
Better than 90% of countries
Denmark: more peaceful (1.50 vs 1.57).
Perceived street safety
Numbeo Safety Index 2026
Denmark
73.8
Better than 86% of countries
Netherlands
74.5
Better than 88% of countries
Effectively tied — under 2% apart.
Human Development Index
UNDP Human Development Report
Denmark
0.962
Better than 98% of countries
Netherlands
0.955
Better than 96% of countries
Effectively tied — under 2% apart.
GDP per person (PPP)
World Bank · 2025
Denmark
$83,218
Better than 94% of countries
Netherlands
$87,320
Better than 95% of countries
Netherlands: 5% higher income per person.
Life expectancy
World Bank · 2024
Denmark
82.3 yrs
Better than 86% of countries
Netherlands
82.0 yrs
Better than 84% of countries
Effectively tied — under 2% apart.
Healthcare index
Numbeo Healthcare Index 2026
Denmark
77.2
Better than 90% of countries
Netherlands
81.5
Better than 97% of countries
Netherlands: better-rated healthcare (81.5 vs 77.2).
Fixed broadband speed
Ookla Speedtest Global Index
Denmark
288 Mbps
Better than 95% of countries
Netherlands
239 Mbps
Better than 86% of countries
Denmark: 21% faster fixed internet.
Press freedom
RSF World Press Freedom Index
Denmark
89/100
Better than 98% of countries
Netherlands
89/100
Better than 99% of countries
Effectively tied — under 2% apart.
Happiness
World Happiness Report (Cantril ladder 0–10)
Denmark
7.54
Better than 98% of countries
Netherlands
7.22
Better than 95% of countries
Denmark: happier on the Cantril ladder (7.54 vs 7.22).
English proficiency
EF English Proficiency Index
Denmark
611
Better than 88% of countries
Netherlands
624
Better than 93% of countries
Netherlands: stronger English proficiency (624 vs 611).
Climate pleasantness
Numbeo Climate Index 2026
Denmark
81.2
Around the global middle
Netherlands
86.9
Better than 66% of countries
Netherlands: more pleasant climate rating (86.9 vs 81.2).
Deciding between Denmark and Netherlands for real?
Indexes can't weigh your budget, your timeline or your dealbreakers. The matcher asks, then answers with this same data.
Find your match →Full Denmark profile →
70+ indicators: economy, safety, governance, climate and visas.
Full Netherlands profile →
70+ indicators: economy, safety, governance, climate and visas.