Compare countries · Netherlands vs Sweden
Netherlands vs Sweden
Netherlands(Europe)·
Sweden(Europe)
Across 13 comparable indicators: Netherlands leads on 7, Sweden on 3, 3 effectively tied. Which trade-offs matter is yours to weigh; the rows below show where each country wins, with sources.
Quick answers
Is Netherlands cheaper than Sweden?
Numbeo's 2026 cost-of-living index (NYC = 100) puts Netherlands at 73.4 and Sweden at 68.0. Sweden is about 7% cheaper overall.
Is Netherlands or Sweden safer?
On the Global Peace Index (lower = more peaceful), Netherlands scores 1.57 and Sweden scores 1.73. Netherlands ranks as the more peaceful of the two.
Which has the higher quality of life, Netherlands or Sweden?
On the UN Human Development Index, Netherlands scores 0.955 and Sweden scores 0.959. The two are effectively tied. Single indexes hide trade-offs; the full comparison above shows where each country wins.
What is life like in Netherlands compared to Sweden?
GNI per capita runs $68,530 in Netherlands against $63,010 in Sweden; people live 82.0 years on average against 84.1; Numbeo users rate healthcare 82 against 68. 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)
Netherlands
73.4
Worse than 92% of countries
Sweden
68.0
Worse than 88% of countries
Sweden: 7% cheaper overall.
Rent index
Numbeo 2026 (NYC = 100)
Netherlands
38.7
Worse than 93% of countries
Sweden
22.6
Worse than 76% of countries
Sweden: 42% cheaper rents.
Peace — Global Peace Index
Institute for Economics & Peace (lower = more peaceful)
Netherlands
1.57
Better than 90% of countries
Sweden
1.73
Better than 76% of countries
Netherlands: more peaceful (1.57 vs 1.73).
Perceived street safety
Numbeo Safety Index 2026
Netherlands
74.5
Better than 88% of countries
Sweden
52.1
Worse than 58% of countries
Netherlands: higher perceived safety (74.5 vs 52.1).
Human Development Index
UNDP Human Development Report
Netherlands
0.955
Better than 96% of countries
Sweden
0.959
Better than 97% of countries
Effectively tied — under 2% apart.
GDP per person (PPP)
World Bank · 2025
Netherlands
$87,320
Better than 95% of countries
Sweden
$72,529
Better than 89% of countries
Netherlands: 20% higher income per person.
Life expectancy
World Bank · 2024
Netherlands
82.0 yrs
Better than 84% of countries
Sweden
84.1 yrs
Better than 96% of countries
Sweden: 2.1 years longer on average.
Healthcare index
Numbeo Healthcare Index 2026
Netherlands
81.5
Better than 97% of countries
Sweden
68.3
Better than 63% of countries
Netherlands: better-rated healthcare (81.5 vs 68.3).
Fixed broadband speed
Ookla Speedtest Global Index
Netherlands
239 Mbps
Better than 86% of countries
Sweden
208 Mbps
Better than 79% of countries
Netherlands: 15% faster fixed internet.
Press freedom
RSF World Press Freedom Index
Netherlands
89/100
Better than 99% of countries
Sweden
88/100
Better than 97% of countries
Effectively tied — under 2% apart.
Happiness
World Happiness Report (Cantril ladder 0–10)
Netherlands
7.22
Better than 95% of countries
Sweden
7.25
Better than 97% of countries
Effectively tied — under 2% apart.
English proficiency
EF English Proficiency Index
Netherlands
624
Better than 93% of countries
Sweden
609
Better than 88% of countries
Netherlands: stronger English proficiency (624 vs 609).
Climate pleasantness
Numbeo Climate Index 2026
Netherlands
86.9
Better than 66% of countries
Sweden
65.0
Worse than 86% of countries
Netherlands: more pleasant climate rating (86.9 vs 65.0).
Deciding between Netherlands and Sweden 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 Netherlands profile →
70+ indicators: economy, safety, governance, climate and visas.
Full Sweden profile →
70+ indicators: economy, safety, governance, climate and visas.