Distribution of well-being: the environment

Environment concerns the quality of the surroundings in which people live. A healthy living environment is characterised by clean air, clean water, sufficient and healthy nature and biodiversity, and soil that is free from pollution. The differences between population groups are measured in terms of the self-reported impact of pollution in the living environment. Environmental pollution in a person’s immediate surroundings can cause health problems resulting from reduced air, water and soil quality. Pollution of the environment can also have a negative impact on quality of life because people are less able to benefit from what their living environment has to offer.

• In 2024, 17.5 percent of the Dutch population lived in households that reported being affected by pollution or other environmental problems, such as smoke, dust, odour or contaminated water.
• Women, the 35-44 and 65-74 age groups and people born in the Netherlands with parents born in a country outside Europe are more likely than average to experience environmental problems.
• The total proportion of people in households saying they experienced nuisance from pollution in their living environment was not significantly higher in 2024 than in 2019.

Perception of environmental problems in the living environment

Situation in 2024

In 2024, 17.5 percent of the Dutch population lived in households that reported being affected by pollution in their living environment – specifically pollution or other environmental problems such as smoke, dust, odours or contaminated water.

• Women are more likely than average to experience environmental pollution, men are less likely than average to do so.
• Fewer 25 to 34-year-olds lived in households that reported nuisance from pollution. The same was true for those aged 75 and over. By contrast, people aged 35 to 44 and 65 to 74 were more likely than average to suffer nuisance from pollution.
• People born in the Netherlands whose parents were also born in the Netherlands are less likely to report experiencing environmental pollution in their living environment. By contrast, people themselves born in Europe but with parents born in a country outside Europe are relatively more likely to experience pollution.

The characteristics of sex, age, educational attainment and origin/country of birth correlate. For example, the percentage of people with higher vocational or university education is not the same in all age groups. This is accounted for by standardising the figures, correcting for the differences between groups with regard to the above characteristics. Based on standardised figures on perceived environmental problems in their living environment, the above findings remain largely valid. An exception are people with a senior general secondary (HAVO), pre-university (VWO) or senior secondary vocational (MBO) qualification. After standardisation, they are more likely than average to experience environmental problems in their living environment.

Changes between 2019 and 2024

At 17.5 percent, the total proportion of people in households saying they experienced nuisance from pollution in their living environment in 2024 was higher than in 2019 (15 percent). The changes are also shown for a number of population groups.

• Compared to the average, the proportion of men who report being affected by environmental pollution increased by 1.6 percentage points compared to 2.4 on average. Among women, the proportion increased by 3.2 percentage points, by more than the average.
• Among the 25-34 and 55-64 age groups, the proportion experiencing environmental pollution fell by 0.1 and 0.5 percentage points respectively, compared to 2019, which was more than average. In the under-25 age group and 35- to 44-year-olds, by contrast, there were rises of 4.1 and 4.6 percentage points, respectively.
• Among people born in the Netherlands but with parents born in a country outside Europe, the proportion experiencing environmental pollution rose by 5.2 percentage points. The change in the other groups did not deviate significantly from the average change.