About the Netherlands

The Netherlands is a small country in Western Europe, with a rich cultural tradition, high quality education and a great work-life balance. Its relatively small area of just over 41,000 square kilometres is home to more than 17 million people.

Some facts and figures about the Netherlands.

Dutch society

Dutch society is very international. This international character means the Dutch are generally tolerant and open about different cultures and believes. You are free to voice your opinion and speak your mind. People are not very easily offended, but expect them to also be direct with you! This directness, not intended to be offensive, is something you may have to get used to. The Netherlands is famous for its progressive stance on equality and diversity. Everyone in the Netherlands has the right to be who they want to be and to be with who they want.

Safety and wellbeing

The Netherlands is one of the safest countries in the world, according to the Global Peace index. Violence and street crime levels are relatively low. Just take the usual care, like not putting your phone in your back pocket and making sure you always lock your bike.

In case something does happen, you should feel confident about approaching the police. They are there to help you and are friendly and open.

The Netherlands belongs to one of the happiest countries in the world. The Netherlands outperforms the average in jobs, work-life balance, education, safety and life satisfaction. Read more about the Dutch standard of living in the OECD’s Better Life Index

English study programmes

Higher education in the Netherlands is known for its high quality. Dutch institutions offer the largest number of English-taught programmes in continental Europe. About 2,000 programmes are taught entirely in English. 95% of the Dutch speak English, so it’s easy to communicate in daily life.

Career in the Netherlands

The Netherlands is the 18th largest economy in the world. The Netherlands is a world leader in many areas of expertise, including agriculture, water management, art & design, logistics and sustainable energy.

The Dutch government wants to attract knowledge and retain talent. International graduates can therefore apply for an orientation year. This is a residence permit of one year to find a job, or start a business within three years of graduation.

Easy to explore Europe

From the Netherlands it is easy to explore the rest of Europe. Not only the neighbouring countries Germany and Belgium are easy to visit, the country is also well connected to all major European capitals. You can easily travel by train to Paris, London, Copenhagen or Barcelona.

Kingdom of the Netherlands

The country’s formal name is the Kingdom of the Netherlands – Netherlands for short. The name refers to the flatness and low level of the land. Much of it is at or below sea level.

Did you know that the Kingdom of the Netherlands is bigger than just the Netherlands? There are 3 Caribbean municipalities that are also part of the Kingdom: Aruba, Curacao and Sint Maarten.

Learn more about the Kingdom of the Netherlands on Wikipedia.