Social class shapes lives more than geography in the Netherlands, new research shows

The role of social class outweighs geographic location in determining life outcomes for Dutch residents, according to a new study by the Social and Cultural Planning Agency (SCP). Challenging common assumptions about regional inequality, the report finds little sharp divide between urban centers such as the Randstad and more peripheral or border regions.

The SCP’s report, titled Divided Across the Country, analyzed data from seventy regions across the Netherlands, including provinces, municipalities, and community types. Researchers found that differences between regions are generally small to moderate and have limited impact on people’s quality of life, political views, or social attitudes.

Instead, social class emerged as the primary factor influencing these outcomes. “Whether someone experiences discrimination or societal discomfort is more closely linked to their social class than to their place of residence,” SCP researcher Cok Vrooman told NRC. “While there are characteristic differences between areas, they are smaller than often assumed.”

The 2023 study identified seven social classes in Dutch society, ranging from the economically and socially advantaged “working upper class” to the most vulnerable groups classified as the “precariat” and “insecure workers.” About one-sixth of adults in the Netherlands belong to these two lowest classes, which face poor health, financial insecurity, and elevated mental health problems. Nearly one-fifth of the population is in the highest social class, benefiting from strong economic, social, cultural, and personal resources.

The SCP also found that social class predicts life outcomes more effectively than education alone. For example, negative life quality factors such as dissatisfaction, poor sleep, smoking, and financial strain can be explained over 20 percent by social class but only 1.7 percent by geographic location.

Vrooman emphasized that addressing the challenges faced by vulnerable groups requires more than simply raising incomes. “That would be the easy way out, but we know the issues are more complex,” he told NRC.

Geography plays a limited role in outcomes, according to the report. Utrecht ranks highest overall in combined economic, social, cultural, and personal capital, while vulnerable groups are most concentrated in Zuidwest-Drenthe. Among the largest Dutch cities, Rotterdam and Almere score lowest in total capital, whereas Utrecht and Amsterdam rank highest.

Political views also show little regional influence, with only 4.7 percent of variance explained by geography compared to 11.5 percent by social class. The report found no clear divide between urban and rural areas or between the Randstad and border regions.

An economically prosperous “capital strip” extending from Castricum through Amsterdam and Utrecht to Zuidoost-Brabant was identified, but this reflects economic factors rather than a simple geographic split.

The one notable geographic exception involves regional discontent with national politics. People living in Groningen, Zeeland, and Drenthe expressed the strongest feelings that the national government neglects their region. This sentiment also appears in areas such as Achterhoek, Twente, parts of Friesland, and Limburg.

“This feeling crosses all social classes and is ‘fairly classless,’” Vrooman explained to NRC. “It is strongest in border and peripheral regions but also present in places like Groningen municipality and North Drenthe.” By contrast, residents of Utrecht, Amsterdam, and Breda report the least regional political dissatisfaction.

Critical life stages—including education, labor market entry, and aging—require integrated policy approaches that span healthcare, housing, employment, childcare, social security, and education. The SCP calls for improved coordination between sectors and effective oversight at both national and local levels.

Social class, the report underscores, is multidimensional. It encompasses economic capital such as education and income; personal capital like health and appearance; social capital in the form of close networks and available help; and cultural capital including music preferences, first names, and digital skills.

The top social class, labeled the “working upper class,” performs strongly across all these dimensions. The “younger privileged” exhibit average economic capital but excel in health, networks, and digital skills. The largest group, the “working middle class,” occupies a middle position, while vulnerable groups such as “insecure workers” and the “precariat” face multiple disadvantages in all categories.

The SCP also highlighted subtle social markers that reinforce inequality. For example, having an “elite” first name such as Charlotte or Roderick can influence others’ perceptions and treatment, perpetuating social disparities beyond income differences.