Well-being ‘later’: Social capital
Social capital concerns the quality of social connections within society. Trust and strong social relations are a precondition for a functioning society and economy.
- Trust in other people has fallen and the trend is no longer rising.
- A relatively large number of people feel discriminated against.
- Trust in the Dutch House of Representatives is declining.
Social capital
in EU
in 2023
in EU
in 2023
in EU
in 2023
| Theme | Indicator | Value | Trend | Position in EU | Position in EU ranking |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Social capital | Trust in other people | 63.3% of the population over 15 thinking most people can be trusted in 2025 | 2nd out of 19 in 2023 | High ranking | |
| Social capital | Feelings of discrimination | 12.0% of the population over 15 say they are discriminated against in 2023 | 18th out of 19 in 2023 | Low ranking | |
| Social capital | Trust in institutions | 60.6% of the population over 15 answered “very high“ or “fairly high“ in 2025 | 3rd out of 19 in 2023 | High ranking |
Colour codes and notes to the dashboards in the Monitor of Well-being
Well-being ‘later’ focuses on the sustainability of our quality of life by measuring the resources that people living in the Netherlands today (the current generation) require for their well-being, and which will also be needed by future generations. People use resources ‘here and now’ to shape their lives. Meanwhile, social networks help people find work, fill their free time with friends and acquaintances, and prevent loneliness. In local communities, people rely on each other for safety and care, and to maintain traditions. Institutions also play an important role in fostering social connections in society. Properly functioning, trusted institutions ensure a future-proof and cohesive society.
Social cohesion in the Netherlands has deteriorated in recent years, mainly due to a decline in trust. Trust between citizens is necessary for a sustainable and functioning society, contributing to the well-being of both the current and future generations. In 2025, 63.3 percent of the population aged 15 and over trusted other people, down from 66.1 percent in 2024. This figure is no longer trending upwards. Even so, compared to other EU countries, trust in other people was still high in 2023 (2nd out of 19 countries, behind Finland). Mutual trust is fostered by social activities (SDG10.1). The proportion of the population who report having contact with family, friends or neighbours at least once a week decreased to 70.9 percent in 2025; overall, however, there is no downward trend. The share of the population providing unpaid (informal) assistance to others outside their own household fell to 34.1 percent in 2025, and is no longer trending upwards.
While trust in institutions is relatively high, it declined by 2.3 percentage points between 2024 and 2025. The decline in trust in institutions can be attributed to a sharp drop in trust in the Dutch House of Representatives, which is trending downwards. In 2025, 24.6 percent of the population aged 15 and over trusted the House of Representatives, down from 31.3 percent the previous year. This is the lowest figure since the time series began in 2012. Trust in the judiciary is high and rising, while trust in the police is high but no longer rising (SDG 16.1 and SDG 16.2). International figures on good governance reveal that the quality of Dutch public institutions is high compared with other countries, even though it is declining (SDG 16.2).
A relatively large number of people in the Netherlands feel discriminated against. In 2023, 12 percent of the population aged 15 and over identified as belonging to a group that suffers from discrimination. This was approximately the same share as in 2020 and the second highest percentage of the 19 EU countries for which comparison is possible; only in France did more people feel part of a group that suffers from discrimination. Social cohesion within residential neighbourhoods was slightly lower in 2025 than in 2023 (SDG 11.2). In 2025, people rated social cohesion at 6.5. In the long term, social cohesion is fairly constant. In 2025, approximately 20.7 percent of adults felt that norms and values were either stable or moving in the right direction (SDG 10.1). Norms are specific rules of behaviour and expectations that often stem from people’s values and beliefs. Shared norms and values bind people together and promote social cohesion. Of the remaining adult population, 34.7 percent believed that things were clearly moving in the wrong direction in this area, while 44.6 percent felt that negative developments slightly outweighed positive changes.