According to recent data from Statistics Netherlands (CBS), Dalfsen, a municipality in Overijssel, has emerged as the home to the happiest residents in the Netherlands. The study evaluated
various indicators of "broad prosperity," and Dalfsen scored exceptionally well in the soft indicators, which encompass factors like social cohesion, mutual trust, life expectancy, and access to amenities.
While Dalfsen achieved average scores in hard indicators like income and wealth, it stood out for having schools and cafes within walking distance, ample green spaces per inhabitant, and a strong sense of community. Additionally, the municipality boasts low unemployment, minimal crime rates, and a healthy population.
Over the past three years, the rural areas of Overijssel have consistently shown high levels of well-being. Following Dalfsen, Dinkelland, Raalte, and Staphorst ranked second to fourth in the broad prosperity rankings. The first non-Overijssel municipality on the list was De Wolden in Drenthe, securing the fifth position. The urban Randstad region saw its first representative, Ronde Venen, in 23rd place.
In contrast, the municipalities with the lowest levels of broad prosperity were primarily located in Limburg and Zuid-Holland. Heerlen ranked last due to its high crime rate, low life expectancy, low income, and limited social cohesion. Rotterdam followed as the second-to-last, with Kerkrade, Brunssum, and Schiedam also scoring poorly.
The CBS data highlighted a divide between the northern regions of the Netherlands and the Randstad and Noord-Brabant. While the north excelled in areas like health and society, the Randstad and Noord-Brabant performed better in terms of material prosperity. However, the data may not fully reflect the actual situation, as some municipalities on the outskirts of major cities have abundant green spaces that are not considered part of the city's prosperity.
Mark Thissen, a researcher on broad welfare at the Netherlands Environmental Assessment Agency (PBL), pointed out that this issue particularly affects the Randstad and Noord-Brabant regions. He argued that suburbs and outskirts benefit from the jobs available in the cities and the nearby natural areas, even though these areas may not be officially part of their municipalities.
Moreover, Thissen emphasized that people's perceptions of "the good life" differ, and their preferences often influence where they choose to live. This subjectivity can influence overall well-being assessments. Despite this, it is clear that Dalfsen stands out as a place where residents experience a strong sense of happiness and prosperity. Photo by Onderwijsgek, Wikimedia commons.