Vast majority of 12 to 17-year-olds perceived own health as (very) good
Young people aged 12 to 17 were more positive about their health than young adults. In 2023, 39 percent of them said their own health was very good overall. More than half of them (53 percent) rated their health as good. This share has been fairly stable since 2018.
Experiencing personal health, 12 to 17-year-olds
jaar
Very good (%)
Good (%)
Reasonable (%)
Bad or very bad (%)
2018
38.8
53.2
6.6
1.4
2019
37.9
52.2
8.7
1.2
2020
42.5
51.3
5.9
0.3
2021
39.8
52.6
6.8
0.8
2022
35.0
55.2
9.0
0.7
2023
39.0
53.2
7.1
0.7
Experiencing personal health, 12 to 17-year-olds
jaar
Very good (%)
Good (%)
Reasonable (%)
Bad or very bad (%)
2018
38.8
53.2
6.6
1.4
2019
37.9
52.2
8.7
1.2
2020
42.5
51.3
5.9
0.3
2021
39.8
52.6
6.8
0.8
2022
35.0
55.2
9.0
0.7
2023
39.0
53.2
7.1
0.7
Young people more likely to experience mental health issues
Among those aged 12-17 years and those aged 18-24 years, more were suffering from mental health issues than before the coronavirus pandemic. In 2021 in particular, the share of young people experiencing mental health issues rose, after which it did not return to the level of previous years. Among those aged 18 to 24, 24 percent of women and 14 percent of men were struggling with mental health issues in 2023. Among 12 to 17-year-olds, 13 percent of girls and 7 percent of boys were experiencing these problems.
Mental health issues (sum score MHI lower than 60)
jaar
Men (18-24 yrs) (%)
Women (18-24 yrs) (%)
Boys (12-17 yrs) (%)
Girls (12-17 yrs) (%)
2018
6.7
19.0
3.2
9.0
2019
9.5
16.1
4.6
12.1
2020
9.6
18.2
4.1
10.3
2021
16.3
28.9
6.4
18.9
2022
13.3
26.8
8.0
14.5
2023
13.9
23.7
6.8
12.9
Mental health issues (sum score MHI lower than 60)
