Residents of the Amsterdam region exercise the most in the Netherlands, but at the same time smoke relatively a lot. In addition, more adults in the Netherlands have started drinking less alcohol.
This is according to the 2024 Health Monitor for Adults and Elderly, conducted by the CBS, all GGD regions and the RIVM. The monitor investigates whether adults in the Netherlands follow the guidelines of the Health Council in the areas of smoking, exercise and alcohol consumption.
In 2024, the number of smokers among adults varied greatly. In the GGD region of North Holland North, about 13 percent smoked, and in the Amsterdam region 20 percent. The Dutch government wants less than 5 percent of adults to smoke in 2040. That number has been decreasing for years.
Although the residents of the Amsterdam region smoke relatively the most, they also exercise the most compared to residents of other regions. 57 percent met the guidelines of the Health Council. This means that they must walk or cycle for 2.5 hours each week, and do exercises twice a week for stronger muscles.
In 2024, 65 percent of adults in the Amsterdam region also exercised weekly. In other regions that percentage was somewhat lower. But on average across the country, there was an increase in the proportion of adults who exercise weekly.
Dutch people have started drinking less alcohol, 22 percent did not drink
In 2024, 45 percent of adults said they do not drink alcohol or no more than one glass a day. Two years earlier that was 42 percent. That group thus complies with the Health Council’s guideline to drink no alcohol or otherwise a maximum of one glass a day.
In the GGD regions of Flevoland, South Holland South and Rotterdam-Rijnmond, more than half of adults do not drink or drink a maximum of one glass a day. Those percentages are lower in North Brabant, Overijssel and North Holland.
Young people and men are the least likely to meet the Health Council’s guideline when it comes to alcohol. 63 percent of 18 to 35 year olds drank on average more than one glass a day. In addition, 65 percent of men drank more than one glass a day, compared to 46 percent of women.
People with only primary education or a vmbo diploma are more likely to meet the Health Council’s guideline than people with an mbo, havo or vwo diploma and people with an hbo or wo diploma.