Compare countries · Germany vs Netherlands
Germany vs Netherlands
Germany(Europe)·
Netherlands(Europe)
Across 13 comparable indicators: Germany leads on 2, Netherlands on 8, 3 effectively tied. Which trade-offs matter is yours to weigh; the rows below show where each country wins, with sources.
Quick answers
Is Germany cheaper than Netherlands?
Numbeo's 2026 cost-of-living index (NYC = 100) puts Germany at 68.7 and Netherlands at 73.4. Germany is about 6% cheaper overall.
Is Germany or Netherlands safer?
On the Global Peace Index (lower = more peaceful), Germany scores 1.66 and Netherlands scores 1.57. Netherlands ranks as the more peaceful of the two.
Which has the higher quality of life, Germany or Netherlands?
On the UN Human Development Index, Germany scores 0.959 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 Germany compared to Netherlands?
GNI per capita runs $60,200 in Germany against $68,530 in Netherlands; people live 80.8 years on average against 82.0; Numbeo users rate healthcare 72 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)
Germany
68.7
Worse than 89% of countries
Netherlands
73.4
Worse than 92% of countries
Germany: 6% cheaper overall.
Rent index
Numbeo 2026 (NYC = 100)
Germany
24.6
Worse than 80% of countries
Netherlands
38.7
Worse than 93% of countries
Germany: 36% cheaper rents.
Peace — Global Peace Index
Institute for Economics & Peace (lower = more peaceful)
Germany
1.66
Better than 83% of countries
Netherlands
1.57
Better than 90% of countries
Netherlands: more peaceful (1.57 vs 1.66).
Perceived street safety
Numbeo Safety Index 2026
Germany
61.6
Better than 64% of countries
Netherlands
74.5
Better than 88% of countries
Netherlands: higher perceived safety (74.5 vs 61.6).
Human Development Index
UNDP Human Development Report
Germany
0.959
Better than 97% of countries
Netherlands
0.955
Better than 96% of countries
Effectively tied — under 2% apart.
GDP per person (PPP)
World Bank · 2025
Germany
$75,407
Better than 90% of countries
Netherlands
$87,320
Better than 95% of countries
Netherlands: 16% higher income per person.
Life expectancy
World Bank · 2024
Germany
80.8 yrs
Better than 79% of countries
Netherlands
82.0 yrs
Better than 84% of countries
Effectively tied — under 2% apart.
Healthcare index
Numbeo Healthcare Index 2026
Germany
72.4
Better than 79% of countries
Netherlands
81.5
Better than 97% of countries
Netherlands: better-rated healthcare (81.5 vs 72.4).
Fixed broadband speed
Ookla Speedtest Global Index
Germany
103 Mbps
Better than 58% of countries
Netherlands
239 Mbps
Better than 86% of countries
Netherlands: 132% faster fixed internet.
Press freedom
RSF World Press Freedom Index
Germany
82/100
Better than 92% of countries
Netherlands
89/100
Better than 99% of countries
Netherlands: freer press (89 vs 82 of 100).
Happiness
World Happiness Report (Cantril ladder 0–10)
Germany
6.88
Better than 89% of countries
Netherlands
7.22
Better than 95% of countries
Netherlands: happier on the Cantril ladder (7.22 vs 6.88).
English proficiency
EF English Proficiency Index
Germany
615
Better than 91% of countries
Netherlands
624
Better than 93% of countries
Effectively tied — under 2% apart.
Climate pleasantness
Numbeo Climate Index 2026
Germany
82.9
Better than 57% of countries
Netherlands
86.9
Better than 66% of countries
Netherlands: more pleasant climate rating (86.9 vs 82.9).
Deciding between Germany 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 Germany profile →
70+ indicators: economy, safety, governance, climate and visas.
Full Netherlands profile →
70+ indicators: economy, safety, governance, climate and visas.