For years, the top spot for the healthiest Dutch city has been held by Groningen. This year, a new city takes the crown (and you might not have heard of it before).
Attention wellness influencers! Instead of recommending a new diet, you should recommend a move to Apeldoorn.
Climbing the health ladder
This city, found nestled in the province of Gelderland, has risen from third place in 2022 and is now the healthiest city in the Netherlands, according to the Arcadis Healthy City Index 2024.
READ MORE | A daytrip to the Apenheul and Apeldoorn; the ultimate … monkey business
And how did Arcadis reach this conclusion?
The index compared the green spaces, facilities, bike-friendliness, walkability, and ‘healthy community’ of no less than 25 Dutch cities.
The last criterion is where Apeldoorn scores particularly well.
The city also stands out because of its proximity to nature and low crime rates, so the only thing you need to worry about on your night-time walks is scaring a deer. 🦌
Other cities have room for improvement
Apeldoorn’s victory means the long-time reign of Groningen as the healthiest Dutch city has come to an end. This is mainly due to an increase in bike-related accidents.
READ MORE | Fatbikes cause nearly 100 accidents in one week, Dutch hospitals claim
The city has also seen an uptick in crime, resulting in a lower ‘healthy community’ score. But worry not, Groningers! Your home hasn’t fallen far and is currently third on the list.
The bottom of the list is occupied by the three largest cities in the Netherlands — Rotterdam, The Hague, and Amsterdam.
However, even our Randstad residents can relax, as all Dutch cities have an above-average standard of living when it comes to health. 🙌
How healthy is your Dutch city? Let us know in the comments!
