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.
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
1.53
Better than 86% of countries
Sweden
1.57
Better than 84% of countries
Netherlands: more peaceful (1.53 vs 1.57).
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
0.946
Better than 95% of countries
Sweden
0.952
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.