Sex in the Netherlands is no taboo subject, as anyone who has taken a stroll through the De Wallen district of Amsterdam finds out. Heck, in 2019, it was ranked the sixth sexiest country in the world!
But what about the love-making of your typical Dutchies? What are Dutch attitudes towards sex? How are they educated in schools? And what’s up with the red-light districts? How low do the lowlanders drop it (and is it hot)?
Time to find out in our (un)official, but still kind of scientific, guide to sex in the Netherlands.
Sex education in Dutch schools
Sex is, unfortunately, a taboo in many cultures. In their direct, no-nonsense way, the Dutch have adopted an arguably better method than most to educate their citizens about sex.
Sex education in the Netherlands starts at the ripe old age of four, during kindergarten. The Dutch believe that sex is a natural element of life, therefore avoiding the issues that many other cultures struggle with. Open conversations on the matter are encouraged in the Netherlands.
Ever since they are young, Dutch children are taught about sex in an arguably holistic manner. They learn about the need for respect towards your partner, while also learning about the more technical aspects of sex life.
A wide range of topics are coved in Dutch sex ed. From gender identity to boys being encouraged to embrace their feelings. Girls also learn how to make their own choices about sexuality and not give in to societal expectations or peer pressure.
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Few topics are left unearthed. Lessons include topics such as oral sex and masturbation, which for many other cultures, are topics which can barely be discussed in public.
Teen pregnancy is low in the Netherlands
The success of Dutch sex education is reflected in their low teen pregnancy rates. While the United States, for example, has the highest rate of teenage pregnancy in the developed world, the Dutch rate of pregnancy is a staggering four times lower.
Another important aspect of their education is learning about consent. The Dutch learn that sex is something to be done in the context of a relationship based on trust and love.
Condoms are easily accessible in stores and at vending machines in schools, while the contraceptive pill is free for any woman under 21 years.
READ MORE | The ultimate guide to gynaecology, birth control, and check-ups in the Netherlands
And it works! Sexually transmitted diseases are much lower than in the Netherlands than in the United Kingdom or the United States.
The Dutch model of sex education can therefore be considered a great example of how to deal with the topic. While it might not be applicable everywhere due to cultural barriers, it can still serve as an inspiring example for other nations.
Sex in the Netherlands: when do the Dutch have their first sexual experiences?
Given their open approach to sex education, a glimpse into the start of young Dutchies’ sex life should yield interesting results.
A 2012 study on sexual activity conducted by Rutgers found that in the age range between 19-24, over 70% of Dutch men and 77% of Dutch women are sexually active.
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Furthermore, the study notes that French kissing is the first type of sexual contact that people have, with 50% of young people around the age of 14 experiencing it.
By 16, half of teenagers have experienced manual stimulation of the genitals, and by 17, half of them have experienced oral sex.
Another study reveals that 64% of Dutch men and women feel confident in asserting their needs and desires in bed, and are open towards discussing sex. This is likely a result of the openness of their educational system with regard to sex.
Sex in the Netherlands: how do the Dutch score in bed? (according to themselves)
A Europe-wide survey on sex conducted by YouGov in 2013 looked at how different nationalities self-evaluate their love-making skills. The Dutch appear to think highly of their bedroom etiquette, coming in second in Europe alongside Austrians. The first place was taken by the Swiss.
Interestingly, the same survey has shown that the Dutch are the least likely to:
- Be unfaithful (15%)
- Photograph or film themselves during sex (7%)
- Have a one-night stand (23%)
- Send text messages with sexual content (15%)
They are similarly conservative when it comes to:
- Taking Viagra (5%) — joint third-lowest ranking in Europe
- Dressing up in a costume during sex (4%) — second-lowest ranking in Europe
- Going to a strip club (7%) — second-lowest ranking in Europe (it also costs money 😉)
- Watching pornography (43%) — second-lowest ranking in Europe
Shockingly, these statistics seem to imply that the Dutchies barely even go to their own red-light districts. Sure, they might have lied in the survey. Or maybe, the thing is that their sex education has made them have a generally healthier sex life.
Or maybe all that grey weather and stamppot has made them a bit blander. 👀
Okay, but what kind of porn do the Dutch watch?
While the Dutch can be known to be notoriously private individuals, Pornhub is not private with statistics about their viewers. Here are the 2022 stats from the well-known adult site.
Let’s just say that, in 2022, “MILF sex” totally dominated the charts.
Enthusiastically riding their way to second and third place, respectively, were “lesbian sex” and “Turkish” porn, followed by:
- Big ass
- Dutch
- Hentai
- Anal
- Asian
- Massage
- Gangbang
Falling just out of the top ten were Dutchies’ preferences for “threesomes” (#11) and “big tits” (#12).
Prostitution and red-lights in the Netherlands
The Dutch attitude towards prostitution is famous internationally, and there are no better places to gain an insight into the phenomenon than the red-light districts in the Netherlands.
The legal structure of prostitution in the Netherlands is well-developed, with sex workers benefiting from legal protection, and workers’ rights akin to other employees.
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In the late 1990s, before the official legalisation of prostitution happened, a survey showed that 73% of those asked agreed with legalisation, while 74% believed that it is an acceptable job.
While when most people think of the Red Light District Amsterdam comes to mind first, many are surprised to find that most large cities in the Netherlands, such as Utrecht and the Hague, have their own dedicated area for legal sex work.
In these places, there are strong police presences, dedicated and private car spots to do the deed, and sexual health clinics provided for the workers. It’s all part of making sure sex work is not just legal, but safe.
Sex work in the Netherlands: legal yet still problematic
That being said, cases of abuse do still happen. Also, prostitution isn’t completely decriminalised. Unregistered sex workers are illegal, and human trafficking is also of grave concern, as well as links with criminal organisations.
Women from foreign countries are enticed to come to the Netherlands on the promise of working in restaurants or other service jobs. Many find themselves forced into sex work, usually threatened with violence. Estimates per year of victims of these situations range from 1,000 to 7,000.
This has led to a loss of support from the public in regard to prostitution. There are stronger pushes on the Dutch government to tighten controls, create licensing for brothels, as well as reducing the size of red-light districts.
Louise and Martine Fokkens, two famous twins in their 70s who worked as window girls, claim that the legalisation in 2000 has made life worse for sex workers. They claim that the heavy taxation only ends up benefiting the brothel owners, as well as increasing criminality.
To sum up, the Dutch are quite active beyond just the red-light districts, and their education makes them both well-informed about sex, as well as private about it. Thankfully we get to have a little insight into their kinks, grace to the insights so wonderfully provided publicly by Pornhub. 🙌
What are your experiences with sex in the Netherlands? Are the Dutch as good as they claim to be? Let us know in the comments below!
Here in America we start teaching gender from day one. If I’m correct, we even allow complete strangers to teach our kids. It is like this : a complete stranger sees a mother with newborn in the park. Stranger asks, boy or girl, then does their rendition of gender for that baby. They are a stranger. What if they do a strange or weird performance. Seems wacky to me.
I am from USA also and quite frankly Darryl, I don’t have clue what you are talking about.
I’m with you Randall! Neither do I!
I believe it was supposed to be sarcastic.
I’m Spanish dating Asterdam Netherlands man but he doesn’t touch subject about sex not even close I thought because he’s cultured
No Dutch are not into indian .. it’s basically the result of VPN accesses from the Indian subcontinent Dutch being the most easily accessible server