The Netherlands ranks best country for quality of life in 2026

The Netherlands has landed in first place in Numbeo’s Quality of Life index for 2026, one step up from last year.

Sitting at a score of 213.6, the Dutch have overtaken Denmark (212.2) and Luxembourg (211.9) by a narrow margin, according to Numbeo.

All those obligatory borrels and paid vacation days? Apparently, they count for something.

The ranking combines a range of indicators, including purchasing power, safety, healthcare, cost of living, property affordability, commute times, pollution, and climate.

While the top of the list is mostly dominated by European countries, bigger economies fare worse. The US ranks 15th, and the UK falls further behind at 22nd. Reconsidering that Brexit, are we?

Quality of life comes at a high price

On paper, the Dutch numbers look solid: a Safety Index of 74.5, a Health Care Index of 81.5, and a low Pollution Index of 20.9.

But when you find yourself crying in the shower at the end of the month, the cost of living leaves you wondering, “Do they do toeslagen for groceries yet?”

So natuurlijk, the Netherlands performs rather poorly on the Cost of Living Index, with a score of 75.38. In other words, the cost of living is 8.6% higher than in the United States of America.

According to Numbeo’s data, a family of four spends an estimated €3,647 per month excluding rent, while a single person spends around €1,020 before housing costs even enter the picture.

For anyone thinking of relocating, the Netherlands makes a pretty compelling case. Top of the world on paper. Just don’t ask your bank account.

Dutch cities claim the first 5 places for quality of life

And if you’re still questioning how the Netherlands could land itself in the top spot, simply take a look at Numbeo’s best cities for quality of life rankings. Dutch cities dominate the top five.

And which city takes the top spot for quality of life? That honour goes to The Hague.

Home to the royals, the International Court of Justice, and parliament, the city had better be orderly and liveable.

The residents of Agga enjoy a score of 230.1.

READ MORE | Damsko, Roffa, Agga: Do you know the nickname for your Dutch city?

Utrecht follows with 221.6, then Eindhoven with 219.4, Groningen with 216.1, and Rotterdam with 213.1.

Despite the lure of Amsterdam, it lands in 8th place in Numbeo’s rankings, with a score of 209.4. Triple X is largely weighed down by higher living costs and property prices.

See if you can spot your country!

Numbeo ranked a total of 89 countries. Though the world still goes on, here are the winners and losers.

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But for now, the Netherlands sits at the top. Just don’t expect that top-ranked quality of life to come cheap.

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