The Netherlands: Living Alone and Aging — the Real Data
3.3 million people in the Netherlands — about one in five residents — live alone, per CBS, Statistics Netherlands. Notably, the Netherlands also has one of the lowest loneliness rates in the EU, which shapes how this page is framed.
Last updated: July 2026
How many people live alone
CBS (Statistics Netherlands), in its Nederland in cijfers 2024 release, reports that 3.3 million residents — roughly one in five, about 19-20% of the population — lived alone as of early 2024. The largest subgroup within that figure is women 70 and older, most commonly widowed.
An aging population
As of January 1, 2025, 3,755,679 residents were 65 or older — 20.8% of the population, up from 12.8% in 1990. CBS projects this will reach 25% by 2040, with people 65 and older already outnumbering those under 20 nationally, per CBS's population dashboard and a dedicated 2025 news release.
A genuinely low loneliness rate — worth stating honestly
CBS reports that 10% of Dutch residents 15 and older reported severe loneliness in 2024. What's worth stating plainly rather than downplaying: per the EU Joint Research Centre's EU-wide 2022 loneliness survey, the Netherlands recorded one of the lowest loneliness rates in the entire EU, below 10%. Rather than force a loneliness-crisis narrative that the country's own data doesn't support, this page leads with the living-alone and aging figures above — which are substantial and real — instead of overstating an isolation problem the Netherlands' own numbers say is comparatively modest.
Related Data & Guides
Frequently Asked Questions
How many people live alone in the Netherlands?
3.3 million — roughly one in five residents (19-20% of the population) — per CBS, Statistics Netherlands, most commonly women 70 and older.
Is the Netherlands' population aging?
Yes. 20.8% of residents were 65+ as of January 2025 (up from 12.8% in 1990), and CBS projects that share will reach 25% by 2040, with people 65+ already outnumbering those under 20 nationally.
Is loneliness a big problem in the Netherlands?
Less than in most of the EU, according to the data. CBS found 10% of residents 15+ reported severe loneliness in 2024, and separately, the EU's own 2022 loneliness survey found the Netherlands has one of the lowest loneliness rates in the entire EU.
What safety options exist for older Dutch adults living alone?
Personenalarmering (personal alarm) providers are common, sometimes reimbursed through a resident's municipal Wmo-loket. KUUS, a Dutch provider, uses a notably different no-subscription model — a one-time device cost plus minimal SIM data fees — compared to the subscription-based systems common elsewhere in Europe.
Take Action
Related Topics
Get Started in 2 Minutes
Download I'm Alive today and give yourself and your loved ones peace of mind. It's completely free.
Free forever • No credit card required • iOS & Android