Netherlands

The Netherlands is the 23rd richest nation in the world, with a per capita income of $30,300. The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Human Development Reports rank the Dutch standard of living 10th among nations of the world. The [Page 1220]Dutch economy tends to be stable, growing at a rate of 1.5 percent; and unemployment (6.6 percent) and inflation (1.7 percent) are well under control. Engaging only 2.1 percent of the workforce, the Dutch agricultural sector is so technologically advanced that it provides products for exports as well as for domestic consumption.

Virtually all of the Dutch population is covered by Social Security, which provides benefits for retirees, the disabled and children.

Income disparities do exist, and the Gini Coefficient for the Netherlands is 30.9. The top 10 percent of the population control 22.9 percent of all wealth, but the bottom 10 percent hold only 2.5 percent of Dutch resources. Despite the high standard of living and general good health, just over one-tenth of the population lives in poverty. There is ample evidence that the overall health of the poor is below that of more affluent Dutch.

Before January 2006, health insurance in the Netherlands was compulsory for most workers and for the self-employed whose earnings were lower than a designated income level. Higher-earning residents were allowed to choose between private carriers or remaining uninsured. Reforms instituted under the Health Insurance Act, which became effective January 1, 2006, mandated basic medical coverage for the entire population. Residents retained the right to choose carriers and to take out supplementary insurance. Coverage is provided by private companies that are obligated to cover all residents in designated areas.

Nominal copayments are required. At the end of a year, those who have filed no insurance claims other than those associated with general medical consultations, maternity care, and children's healthcare, are entitled to cash rebates. Virtually all of the Dutch population is covered by Social Security, which provides benefits for retirees, the disabled, children, and the unemployed. Employers are required to pay 70 percent of lost wages when employees experience major illnesses. Those whose incomes are below a certain level receive government assistance with normal medical expenses.

The Dutch government has a strong commitment to promoting the good health of the citizenry, and health spending comprises 10 percent of the total budget. Allotting $2,987 (international dollars) per capita, 9.8 percent of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is used to fund health programs. Government spending comprises 62.4 percent of total health spending, with 20.80 percent earmarked for Social Security. The private sector supplies 37.6 percent of expenditures, and 20.80 percent of that amount is derived from out-of-pocket expenses. There are 3.15 physicians, 13.73 nurses, 0.48 dentists, and 0.19 pharmacists per 1,000 population in the Netherlands.

The Netherlands ranks 30th in the world in life expectancy, and the population (16,491,461) enjoys a life expectancy of 78.96 years. Women outlive men an average by six years. All of the relevant population is enrolled in school at the primary and secondary levels, and literacy is virtually universal (99 percent). All urban residents have access to safe drinking water and improved sanitation. While 100 percent of the Dutch rural population also has sustained access to improved sanitation, 1 percent of rural residents lacks [Page 1221]access to safe drinking water. Some 79 percent of all females use some method of birth control, and Dutch women give birth at a rate of 1.66 children each. All births are attended by trained professionals, and the adjusted maternal mortality rate is 16 deaths per 100,000 live births.

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