Netherlands wealth levels off after five year slide

The wealth of Dutch households finally reached the end of its downward trend, which started at the outbreak of the economic crisis in 2008. In 2014, the average household wealth remained stable, according to figures released by statistics Netherlands.

The average household wealth is calculated by assets minus debt. Between 2008 and 2013 the average wealth of Dutch households declined from 47 thousand to 19 thousand euros. In 2014 it remained stable at 19 thousand euros for the first time since the crisis.

Laren is the wealthiest municipality in the Netherlands with an average wealth of 250 thousand euros. The rest of the top 10 is dominated by smaller municipalities in Noord-Brabant - Haaren, Oirschot, Sint Anthonis, Maasdonk, Alphen-Chaam, Reusel-De Mierden and Eersel. These municipalities have a high number of elderly residents, who accumulated wealth through their lifetimes.

Households in Lelystad have the lowest average wealth at 1,600 euros. Rotterdam, The Hague and Amsterdam are also in the top 10 of lowest wealth. Utrecht missed the top 10, but also has a relatively low average wealth at 6 thousand euros. Relatively many young people, welfare recipients and non-Western minorities live in big cities. According to Statistics Netherlands, these groups generally have little wealth.