Compare countries · Ireland vs Netherlands
Ireland vs Netherlands
Ireland(Europe)·
Netherlands(Europe)
Across 13 comparable indicators: Ireland leads on 5, Netherlands on 6, 2 effectively tied. Which trade-offs matter is yours to weigh; the rows below show where each country wins, with sources.
Quick answers
Is Ireland cheaper than Netherlands?
Numbeo's 2026 cost-of-living index (NYC = 100) puts Ireland at 70.6 and Netherlands at 73.4. Ireland is about 4% cheaper overall.
Is Ireland or Netherlands safer?
On the Global Peace Index (lower = more peaceful), Ireland scores 1.37 and Netherlands scores 1.57. Ireland ranks as the more peaceful of the two.
Which has the higher quality of life, Ireland or Netherlands?
On the UN Human Development Index, Ireland scores 0.949 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 Ireland compared to Netherlands?
GNI per capita runs $87,360 in Ireland against $68,530 in Netherlands; people live 83.0 years on average against 82.0; Numbeo users rate healthcare 51 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)
Ireland
70.6
Worse than 91% of countries
Netherlands
73.4
Worse than 92% of countries
Ireland: 4% cheaper overall.
Rent index
Numbeo 2026 (NYC = 100)
Ireland
43.8
Worse than 96% of countries
Netherlands
38.7
Worse than 93% of countries
Netherlands: 12% cheaper rents.
Peace — Global Peace Index
Institute for Economics & Peace (lower = more peaceful)
Ireland
1.37
Better than 98% of countries
Netherlands
1.57
Better than 90% of countries
Ireland: more peaceful (1.37 vs 1.57).
Perceived street safety
Numbeo Safety Index 2026
Ireland
51.0
Worse than 62% of countries
Netherlands
74.5
Better than 88% of countries
Netherlands: higher perceived safety (74.5 vs 51.0).
Human Development Index
UNDP Human Development Report
Ireland
0.949
Better than 95% of countries
Netherlands
0.955
Better than 96% of countries
Effectively tied — under 2% apart.
GDP per person (PPP)
World Bank · 2025
Ireland
$155,089
Better than 98% of countries
Netherlands
$87,320
Better than 95% of countries
Ireland: 78% higher income per person.
Life expectancy
World Bank · 2024
Ireland
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
Ireland
51.2
Worse than 89% of countries
Netherlands
81.5
Better than 97% of countries
Netherlands: better-rated healthcare (81.5 vs 51.2).
Fixed broadband speed
Ookla Speedtest Global Index
Ireland
208 Mbps
Better than 80% of countries
Netherlands
239 Mbps
Better than 86% of countries
Netherlands: 14% faster fixed internet.
Press freedom
RSF World Press Freedom Index
Ireland
86/100
Better than 96% of countries
Netherlands
89/100
Better than 99% of countries
Netherlands: freer press (89 vs 86 of 100).
Happiness
World Happiness Report (Cantril ladder 0–10)
Ireland
6.93
Better than 91% of countries
Netherlands
7.22
Better than 95% of countries
Netherlands: happier on the Cantril ladder (7.22 vs 6.93).
English proficiency
EF English Proficiency Index
Ireland
700
Better than 94% of countries
Netherlands
624
Better than 93% of countries
Ireland: stronger English proficiency (700 vs 624).
Climate pleasantness
Numbeo Climate Index 2026
Ireland
89.5
Better than 72% of countries
Netherlands
86.9
Better than 66% of countries
Ireland: more pleasant climate rating (89.5 vs 86.9).
Deciding between Ireland 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 Ireland profile →
70+ indicators: economy, safety, governance, climate and visas.
Full Netherlands profile →
70+ indicators: economy, safety, governance, climate and visas.