Compare countries · France vs Netherlands
France vs Netherlands
France(Europe)·
Netherlands(Europe)
Across 13 comparable indicators: France leads on 4, Netherlands on 8, 1 effectively tied. Which trade-offs matter is yours to weigh; the rows below show where each country wins, with sources.
Quick answers
Is France cheaper than Netherlands?
Numbeo's 2026 cost-of-living index (NYC = 100) puts France at 67.7 and Netherlands at 73.4. France is about 8% cheaper overall.
Is France or Netherlands safer?
On the Global Peace Index (lower = more peaceful), France scores 2.08 and Netherlands scores 1.57. Netherlands ranks as the more peaceful of the two.
Which has the higher quality of life, France or Netherlands?
On the UN Human Development Index, France scores 0.920 and Netherlands scores 0.955. Netherlands scores higher on this composite of income, health and education. Single indexes hide trade-offs; the full comparison above shows where each country wins.
What is life like in France compared to Netherlands?
GNI per capita runs $48,630 in France against $68,530 in Netherlands; people live 83.0 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)
France
67.7
Worse than 85% of countries
Netherlands
73.4
Worse than 92% of countries
France: 8% cheaper overall.
Rent index
Numbeo 2026 (NYC = 100)
France
22.3
Worse than 76% of countries
Netherlands
38.7
Worse than 93% of countries
France: 42% cheaper rents.
Peace — Global Peace Index
Institute for Economics & Peace (lower = more peaceful)
France
2.08
Worse than 61% of countries
Netherlands
1.57
Better than 90% of countries
Netherlands: more peaceful (1.57 vs 2.08).
Perceived street safety
Numbeo Safety Index 2026
France
44.2
Worse than 77% of countries
Netherlands
74.5
Better than 88% of countries
Netherlands: higher perceived safety (74.5 vs 44.2).
Human Development Index
UNDP Human Development Report
France
0.920
Better than 87% of countries
Netherlands
0.955
Better than 96% of countries
Netherlands: higher human development (0.955 vs 0.920).
GDP per person (PPP)
World Bank · 2025
France
$63,975
Better than 85% of countries
Netherlands
$87,320
Better than 95% of countries
Netherlands: 36% higher income per person.
Life expectancy
World Bank · 2024
France
83.0 yrs
Better than 89% of countries
Netherlands
82.0 yrs
Better than 84% of countries
Effectively tied — under 2% apart.
Healthcare index
Numbeo Healthcare Index 2026
France
77.0
Better than 89% of countries
Netherlands
81.5
Better than 97% of countries
Netherlands: better-rated healthcare (81.5 vs 77.0).
Fixed broadband speed
Ookla Speedtest Global Index
France
350 Mbps
Better than 98% of countries
Netherlands
239 Mbps
Better than 86% of countries
France: 47% faster fixed internet.
Press freedom
RSF World Press Freedom Index
France
77/100
Better than 86% of countries
Netherlands
89/100
Better than 99% of countries
Netherlands: freer press (89 vs 77 of 100).
Happiness
World Happiness Report (Cantril ladder 0–10)
France
6.59
Better than 76% of countries
Netherlands
7.22
Better than 95% of countries
Netherlands: happier on the Cantril ladder (7.22 vs 6.59).
English proficiency
EF English Proficiency Index
France
539
Better than 64% of countries
Netherlands
624
Better than 93% of countries
Netherlands: stronger English proficiency (624 vs 539).
Climate pleasantness
Numbeo Climate Index 2026
France
89.6
Better than 73% of countries
Netherlands
86.9
Better than 66% of countries
France: more pleasant climate rating (89.6 vs 86.9).
Deciding between France 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 France profile →
70+ indicators: economy, safety, governance, climate and visas.
Full Netherlands profile →
70+ indicators: economy, safety, governance, climate and visas.