More over-55s on holiday

The number of holidaymakers aged 55 and older has risen from 2.8 million in 2002 to 3.5 million in 2012 as the post-war baby boomer generation is ageing. These over-55s tend to go on holiday more frequently than younger people. Approximately one in three older people on low incomes do not go on holiday. 

Three quarters of older people go on holiday

In 2012, three quarters of people in the Dutch population aged 55 and older went on holiday. The proportion is the same as a decade ago, but because the number of over-55s has risen by one quarter, the number of older holidaymakers has also grown considerably from 2.8 million in 2002 to 3.5 million in 2012. Together, they accounted for 11.2 million holidays.

Number of holidays

Older people go on holiday more often

The proportion of holidaymakers among people younger than 55 (83 percent) is higher than among holidaymakers older than 55 (74 percent), but with an average of 3.2 holidays, over-55s went on holiday more often than younger people (2.8 holidays). Older people more often took longer holidays. Among under-55s, the proportion of short as well as long holidays was higher.

Half of holidaymakers stay in the Netherlands

More than 51 percent of older people spent their holidays in the Netherlands. More than 42 percent spent their holidays in Europe and only 6 percent left the European continent. Germany was the favourite holiday destination among older people. Nearly 12 percent of all holidays of older people were spent in Germany. With 6 percent, France and Spain also remain fairly popular. Young people less often stay in the Netherlands (48 percent) and more often opt for holidays outside Europe (8 percent).

Holidays by destination

Older people on low incomes more often stay at home

Older people’s holiday behaviour is also affected by their health and income situation. One in three older people living on lower incomes did not go on holiday in 2012. The corresponding figures for middle and higher incomes were 14 and 22 percent respectively.
With 56 percent, older holidaymakers living on low incomes more often opt for domestic holidays than middle and high incomes (51 and 46 percent respectively).

Share holidays over-55s by destination and income

Henk Swinkels