SDG 10.1 Social cohesion and inequality
- Dutch income inequality is one of the lowest in the EU. Wealth inequality is decreasing, partly pushed down by the strongly increasing value of own homes in recent years.
- Relative poverty (percentage of population living below the European poverty threshold) is increasing in the Netherlands. The percentage of low-income low-wealth households was lower than ever in 2022, and the trend is downward.
- Relatively many Dutch people interact socially with others, are members of clubs or societies, or do voluntary work. The percentage who have social contacts with family, friends or neighbours at least once a week is the highest in the EU27, but is decreasing steadily. Four in ten people were active club members, the second highest percentage in the EU27. Almost half had undertaken voluntary activities – sometimes organised – in the previous twelve months. The downward trend in voluntary work has stopped.
- In 2023, 19 percent of all adults believed that norms and values are moving in the right direction or remaining the same.
- In 2020, 12.1 percent of the population considered themselves as members of a group that is discriminated against. This percentage is high compared with other EU countries.
Dashboard and indicators
Resources and opportunities
in EU
in 2022
in EU
in 2022
in EU
in 2019
in EU
in 2022
Use
in EU
in 2020
in EU
in 2017
Outcomes
in EU
in 2020
Subjective assessment
in EU
in 2020
in EU
in 2020
in EU
in 2017
| Theme | Indicator | Value | Trend | Position in EU | Position in EU ranking |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Resources and opportunities | 80/20 ratio income inequality | 4.06 income ratio of highest quintile group to lowest quintile group in 2022 | 7th out of 27 in 2022 | High ranking | |
| Resources and opportunities | Gini coefficient income inequality | 0.27 value between 0 (complete equality) and 1 (complete inequality) in 2022 | 5th out of 27 in 2022 | High ranking | |
| Resources and opportunities | Gini coefficient of wealth inequality | 0.71 value between 0 (complete equality) and 1 (complete inequality) in 2022 | decreasing (increase well-being) | ||
| Resources and opportunities | Low income and limited wealth | 3.4% of households in 2022 | decreasing (increase well-being) | ||
| Resources and opportunities | Migrant integration policy index | 56 score on a scale 0-100 (100 = best integration policy) in 2019 | 9th out of 27 in 2019 | Middle ranking | |
| Resources and opportunities | At-risk-of-poverty rate | 14.5% of the population had an income below the European risk-of-poverty threshold (60% of median income) in 2022 | increasing (decrease well-being) | 11th out of 27 in 2022 | Middle ranking |
| Use | Contact with family, friends or neighbours | 71.3% have contact for social reasons at least once a week in 2023 | decreasing (decrease well-being) | 1st out of 19 in 2020 | High ranking |
| Use | Participation in clubs, associations, etc. | 43.3% of the population over 15 are active members in 2023 | 2nd out of 27 in 2017 | High ranking | |
| Use | Voluntary work | 48.7% of the population over 15 do organised voluntary work in 2023 | |||
| Use | Informal assistance | 36.4% of the population over 15 provide informal assistance in 2023 | |||
| Outcomes | Self-employed persons without employees at risk of poverty | 5.9% of self-employed live in a low-income household in 2022 | decreasing (increase well-being) | ||
| Outcomes | Satisfaction with social life | 80.0% of the population over 18 are satisfied or very satisfied in 2023 | decreasing (decrease well-being) | ||
| Outcomes | Opinions about immigrants | 38.0% of the population over 15 have a positive opinion in 2020 | 5th out of 19 in 2020 | High ranking | |
| Subjective assessment | Trust in other people | 66.7% of the population over 15 think most people can be trusted in 2023 | increasing (increase well-being) | 2nd out of 19 in 2020 | High ranking |
| Subjective assessment | Feelings of discrimination | 12.1% of the population over 15 say they are discriminated against in 2020 | 16th out of 19 in 2020 | Low ranking | |
| Subjective assessment | Changes in values and norms | 19.0% of the population over 18 say norms and values are the same or better in 2023 | |||
| Subjective assessment | Feeling in control of own life | 52.5% feel in control (scores 4 or 5 on a scale of 1-5) in 2023 | 3rd out of 27 in 2017 | High ranking |
Colour codes and notes to the dashboards in the Monitor of Well-being
SDG 10 aims to reduce inequality within and between countries. This first dashboard for SDG 10 focuses on social cohesion, inclusiveness and equality. Higher social and economic equality strengthen social cohesion within a country, improving opportunities and inclusiveness for everyone. Social cohesion is indispensable for a successful fabric of society. Participation, trust and integration are key concepts in this respect, and family, friends, clubs, trust, help and support are fundamental. People must have equal opportunities to be part of this social fabric. Social capital is indispensable for society to function successfully: people who are part of a social network can use it to connect to other people. Integration is especially important in this regard. Financial sustainability of Dutch well-being and the financial situation of Dutch households, are examined in the second dashboard of SDG 10.
Income policy in the Netherlands has traditionally focused on achieving a balanced distribution of income. To this end, household income – income from work and assets – is redistributed by levying premiums and taxes on the one hand, and paying out benefits on the other. If we view well-being in more broader terms than just income, government policy is not so structured and coherent. In the Netherlands, discrimination is forbidden by law, under both the Constitution and the Equal Treatment Act.
This dashboard presents a mixed picture. Many indicators show a stable trend or one moving towards greater well-being and the SDG goals. Some trends are moving away from the targets, however: relative poverty, contact with family, friends and neighbours, and satisfaction with social life. Where indicators in the dashboard can be compared with other European countries, the Netherlands is in average to high positions. The only exception is the percentage of the Dutch population who reported that they belonged to a group that is discriminated against.
Resources and opportunities relate to social capital, social structures, poverty, and income and wealth inequality. Here, this category includes indicators on material inequality and poverty.
Use comprises social interactions and participation in society and civil life through clubs and organisations, including voluntary work.
Outcomes concern poverty risk and the extent of social cohesion, as well as exclusion and discrimination. The self-employed turn out to be a vulnerable group in terms of social security.
Subjective assessment relates to people’s trust in each other, feelings of shared standards and values, and social exclusion. In the Netherlands, trust in other people is high compared with other EU countries and the trend is upward.