Compare countries · Netherlands vs United Kingdom
Netherlands vs United Kingdom
Netherlands(Europe)·
United Kingdom(Europe)
Across 13 comparable indicators: Netherlands leads on 7, United Kingdom 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 United Kingdom?
Numbeo's 2026 cost-of-living index (NYC = 100) puts Netherlands at 73.4 and United Kingdom at 67.8. United Kingdom is about 8% cheaper overall.
Is Netherlands or United Kingdom safer?
On the Global Peace Index (lower = more peaceful), Netherlands scores 1.57 and United Kingdom scores 1.73. Netherlands ranks as the more peaceful of the two.
Which has the higher quality of life, Netherlands or United Kingdom?
On the UN Human Development Index, Netherlands scores 0.955 and United Kingdom scores 0.946. 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 United Kingdom?
GNI per capita runs $68,530 in Netherlands against $54,550 in United Kingdom; people live 82.0 years on average against 81.4; Numbeo users rate healthcare 82 against 73. 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
United Kingdom
67.8
Worse than 86% of countries
United Kingdom: 8% cheaper overall.
Rent index
Numbeo 2026 (NYC = 100)
Netherlands
38.7
Worse than 93% of countries
United Kingdom
32.1
Worse than 90% of countries
United Kingdom: 17% cheaper rents.
Peace — Global Peace Index
Institute for Economics & Peace (lower = more peaceful)
Netherlands
1.57
Better than 90% of countries
United Kingdom
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
United Kingdom
51.7
Worse than 59% of countries
Netherlands: higher perceived safety (74.5 vs 51.7).
Human Development Index
UNDP Human Development Report
Netherlands
0.955
Better than 96% of countries
United Kingdom
0.946
Better than 93% of countries
Effectively tied — under 2% apart.
GDP per person (PPP)
World Bank · 2025
Netherlands
$87,320
Better than 95% of countries
United Kingdom
$64,606
Better than 86% of countries
Netherlands: 35% higher income per person.
Life expectancy
World Bank · 2024
Netherlands
82.0 yrs
Better than 84% of countries
United Kingdom
81.4 yrs
Better than 81% of countries
Effectively tied — under 2% apart.
Healthcare index
Numbeo Healthcare Index 2026
Netherlands
81.5
Better than 97% of countries
United Kingdom
72.7
Better than 80% of countries
Netherlands: better-rated healthcare (81.5 vs 72.7).
Fixed broadband speed
Ookla Speedtest Global Index
Netherlands
239 Mbps
Better than 86% of countries
United Kingdom
167 Mbps
Better than 73% of countries
Netherlands: 42% faster fixed internet.
Press freedom
RSF World Press Freedom Index
Netherlands
89/100
Better than 99% of countries
United Kingdom
80/100
Better than 90% of countries
Netherlands: freer press (89 vs 80 of 100).
Happiness
World Happiness Report (Cantril ladder 0–10)
Netherlands
7.22
Better than 95% of countries
United Kingdom
6.69
Better than 81% of countries
Netherlands: happier on the Cantril ladder (7.22 vs 6.69).
English proficiency
EF English Proficiency Index
Netherlands
624
Better than 93% of countries
United Kingdom
700
Better than 94% of countries
United Kingdom: stronger English proficiency (700 vs 624).
Climate pleasantness
Numbeo Climate Index 2026
Netherlands
86.9
Better than 66% of countries
United Kingdom
87.8
Better than 69% of countries
Effectively tied — under 2% apart.
Deciding between Netherlands and United Kingdom 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 United Kingdom profile →
70+ indicators: economy, safety, governance, climate and visas.