Netherlands in European high-middle for broad prosperity: Rabobank
The Dutch provinces rank high in the European middle bracket when it comes to “broad prosperity.” They mostly lag behind Norwegian and Swiss regions, which achieve the highest scores, according to a Rabobank report. The Netherlands has room for improvement in the areas of air pollution, job security, and personal development, according to the Rabobank researchers
The researchers looked at 11 factors that affect well-being, including income, happiness, health, how people experience their work, and whether they trust each other and society.
Broad prosperity is highest in the provinces of Friesland, Groningen, and Limburg, and lowest in Zuid-Holland, Flevoland, and Noord-Holland. But according to the researchers, the differences between the provinces are small.
The Netherlands scored well on happiness and satisfaction. Housing satisfaction and social engagement, like volunteer work and trust in others, are also high on average. The Dutch provinces scored less well in the areas of work-life balance and air pollution. Both these effects are particularly noticeable in the Randstad. “The Randstad can learn from other Northwest European metropolitan areas by focusing on the environment, job security, and personal development,” the report states.
Greece has the lowest prosperity in Europe. Prosperity is also lower in Eastern Europe, southern Italy, southern Spain, and northern France. The Norwegian and Swiss regions score particularly well on safety, the environment, health, housing, and job security. The Swiss also enjoy an “exceptionally high” average income. In Greece, incomes are lower, and the population is less satisfied.
