100 Netherlands residents drowned last year; Slight decrease from 2024
Those in the Netherlands in life threatening danger should immediately dial 112 for emergencies, and anyone suffering from depression or contemplating suicide can call 113 Zelfmoordpreventie at any time by dialing either 113 or 0800-0113, or by visiting 113.nl.
Last year, 100 residents of the Netherlands died from accidental drownings, 13 percent fewer than the year before. 41 percent of the victims were over the age of 60. Over the past five years, an average of 93 residents drowned per year, Statistics Netherlands (CBS) reported on Wednesday.
Between 2021 and 2025, 464 residents of the Netherlands died in accidental drownings. Nearly 54 percent of these drownings occurred in a ditch, river, canal, or waterway. 4 percent happened in the sea. Over 16 percent of drownings happened in the home or garden, and nearly 16 percent in a pond or lake.
Between 1950 and the first half of the 1980s, the number of locals who drowned in the Netherlands declined sharply. The drop was particularly visible among child victims. In the last 25 years, the number of victims has been highest among people aged 60 or older.
In 2025, 0.6 people per 100,000 inhabitants drowned. This figure was highest among people over 60 at 0.8 per 100,000 inhabitants, and lowest among children under 10 at 0.2 per 100,000 inhabitants.
Over the past five years, a quarter of all drownings involving Dutch residents occurred in Zuid-Holland (115 residents) and Noord-Holland (86 residents). In relation to surface water, the highest number of people drowned in Utrecht (0.44 drownings per square kilometer of water), Noord-Brabant (0.32), and Limburg (0.32).
In addition to the 100 accidental drownings last year, 100 people also drowned by suicide, and 42 people drowned due to a traffic accident. In 90 percent of the latter cases, the vehicle had crashed into the water. The rest involved accidents on the water involving boats or canoes, for example.
