DON’T MISS
IamExpat FairIamExpat Job BoardIamExpat Webinars
Newsletters
EXPAT INFO
CAREER
HOUSING
EDUCATION
LIFESTYLE
EXPAT SERVICES
NEWS & ARTICLES
Home
Expat Info
Dutch news & articles
Positivity in the Netherlands remains high in spite of coronavirus
Never miss a thing!Sign up for our weekly newsletters with important news stories, expat events and special offers.
Keep me updated with exclusive offers from partner companies
By signing up, you agree that we may process your information in accordance with our privacy policy

Positivity in the Netherlands remains high in spite of coronavirus

Never miss a thing!Sign up for our weekly newsletters with important news stories, expat events and special offers.
Keep me updated with exclusive offers from partner companies
By signing up, you agree that we may process your information in accordance with our privacy policy
or
follow us for regular updates:



Related Stories

Europe’s coronavirus crisis: Feelings of loneliness doubled in 2020Europe’s coronavirus crisis: Feelings of loneliness doubled in 2020
How does the Netherlands’ happiness compare to its COVID-19 response?How does the Netherlands’ happiness compare to its COVID-19 response?
CBS: Over 20.000 people died of coronavirus in 2020CBS: Over 20.000 people died of coronavirus in 2020
Dutch King and Queen to receive coronavirus vaccineDutch King and Queen to receive coronavirus vaccine
CBS: Over 10.000 deaths in the Netherlands in first coronavirus waveCBS: Over 10.000 deaths in the Netherlands in first coronavirus wave
Happiness of people in the Netherlands falls after coronavirus crisisHappiness of people in the Netherlands falls after coronavirus crisis
Up to twice as many coronavirus deaths in the Netherlands as registeredUp to twice as many coronavirus deaths in the Netherlands as registered
From Haags to Hollandic: A guide to Dutch dialects and accentsFrom Haags to Hollandic: A guide to Dutch dialects and accents
For expats of all colours, shapes and sizes

Explore
Expat infoCareerHousingEducationLifestyleExpat servicesNews & articles
About us
IamExpat MediaAdvertisePost a jobContact usSitemap
More IamExpat
IamExpat Job BoardIamExpat HousingIamExpat FairsWebinarsNewsletters
Privacy
Terms of usePrivacy policyCookiesAvoiding scams

Never miss a thing!Sign up for expat events, news & offers, delivered once a week.
Keep me updated with exclusive offers from partner companies
By signing up, you agree that we may process your information in accordance with our privacy policy


© 2025 IamExpat Media B.V.
© 2025 IamExpat Media B.V.
Sep 10, 2020
Victoria Séveno
Victoria grew up in Amsterdam, before moving to the UK to study English and Related Literature at the University of York and completing her NCTJ course at the Press Association in London. She has a love for all things movies, animals, and food. Read more

Research by the Netherlands Institute for Social Research (SCP) has shown that people in the Netherlands are still satisfied with their lives, in spite of the wide-ranging impacts of the coronavirus pandemic. 

The social state of the Netherlands 2020

Every year, the SCP publishes a report on the “social state” of the Netherlands, which looks into people’s general well-being - how the people in the Netherlands feel about their mental, physical, and social health. The institute also looks at employment levels, education and confidence in politics and politicians. 

This year’s research has revealed that the people in the Netherlands are satisfied with their lives, giving an average rating of 7,3 out of 10, only slightly lower than the average rating of 7,9 from 2019. Josje den Ridder, who works for the SCP, explained on the NOS Radio 1 Journaal that the reason the rating remains so high is that people are yet to comprehend the full impact of the coronavirus crisis on their health and finances and that people are, or try to be, resilient in the face of adversity. 

Researchers at the SCP feel that the impact of the pandemic on general satisfaction and well-being will increase with time, when problems aren’t so quick to go away. As unemployment rises, and financial support from the Dutch government comes to an end, the impacts of the virus will be felt more and by more people.

Coronavirus-related concerns do exist

Of course, while people may, on the whole, be satisfied with the quality of their lives, there are still a number of concerns. The SCP had advised the government attempt to maintain social cohesion by paying attention to the needs and interests of all people in the Netherlands as the effects of the pandemic spread across the country. But, they also ask the government not to ignore the problems that already existed before the outbreak of the virus.

Lack of job security

People are worried about the future of their jobs, specifically if they work in industries that have been hit hard by the pandemic. People who are self-employed or who are on flexible employment contracts are the most unsure of their future employment and income. Researchers fear that as unemployment continues to rise across the Netherlands, the overall satisfaction of the population will drop. 

Concerns for the health of others

The report reveals that many are still concerned about the health of others, specifically those who belong to more vulnerable groups, and public health in general. They fear a second coronavirus wave and are worried about the actions of those who fail to adhere to the coronavirus measures established by the Dutch government. 

Falling confidence in Dutch politics

At the start of the coronavirus outbreak in the Netherlands, faith in the government and politicians rose sharply. While it still remains higher than it was before the outbreak, it was significantly lower in July than it was in April. The SCP attributes this to the “coronavirus perspective,” and the fact that people now judge the actions and decision of politicians in relation to coronavirus infections and deaths. 

However, research did find that on the whole, people appreciated the so-called intelligent lockdown that was enforced in the Netherlands, preferring it to the stricter measures that were imposed in other countries. The SCP also found that people felt the pandemic had led to a stronger feeling of solidarity among the population of the Netherlands.

Loneliness among the elderly 

Significant finds of the SCP’s research are the effects of the coronavirus on the elderly: “We see that many elderly people have become more lonely,” Den Ridder told NOS. She recognises two kinds of loneliness - social and emotional. Social loneliness - loneliness brought on by a lack of social contact - has not increased, likely because a number of communities came together to look after the elderly in their neighbourhood. 

Researchers have, however, seen a sharp rise in the emotional loneliness of people over the age of 75. Emotional loneliness comes from the absence of meaningful bonds with those around you, for example, someone living in a nursing home who is unable to receive visitors because of the enforced lockdown. “Family waving in front of the window is not enough for them to make that meaningful connection”, Den Ridder observes.  

Emotional loneliness among the elderly increased significantly - before the outbreak of the virus, “only” 16 percent said they experienced this kind of loneliness. This has now risen to 37 percent. The relaxation of coronavirus measures means that it has decreased slightly, but it remains high.

By Victoria Séveno