47% of the Netherlands is financially vulnerable

Rotterdam, 31 March 2025

The annual study, developed and conducted in collaboration with Nibud and academics from Tilburg University and Leiden University, specifically focuses on five domains: Income, Spending, Savings, Borrowing and Planning. A unique aspect of this approach is that the study maps the financial health of Dutch households by measuring and analysing the interaction  between these five domains.

The most notable results from the research:

Young Adults in Financial Distress

In 2024, a concerning trend among young adults is observable: the percentage of financially Healthy Households fell from 18% to 12%. This group is facing challenges such as temporary contracts, scarcity in the housing market, and high costs of living. They often focus on short-term solutions, which makes them particularly vulnerable. Nearly half earn less than the average income, and financial stress is increasing, with many resorting to debt or tapping into their savings to make ends meet.

Women Making Progress 

However, there are also positive developments. The financial health of women has significantly improved, and the gap between men and women is now smaller. In 2024, the percentage of financially Unhealthy women has decreased substantially from 32% to 25%. In contrast, the percentage among men has only decreased by 3 percentage points, from 22% to 19%. Nevertheless, women still tend to remain in lower health levels compared to men: 52% of women are financially Vulnerable or financially Unhealthy, compared to 42% of men.

The Importance of Open Communication

Only 3% of the Dutch population frequently discusses their financial situation, which can lead to unnoticed issues and a vicious cycle of financial stress. The 2024 study shows that people who regularly talk about finances are more likely to be financially Healthy.

Highlighted Domains

The research shows improvement in four out of the five domains, except in the area of financial planning.

- Income:
The percentage of households that find it (very) easy to make ends meet rose from 51% in 2023 to 57% in 2024. 26% report a (much) higher income than the previous year (23%). We also see that working more pays off. The balance between work and private life (53%), followed by salary levels (45%), often determines the number of hours people work each week.

- Spending:
In 2024, income and spending patterns were better balanced. For 62% of households, total spending was (much) lower than income, an increase compared to 2023 (57%).

- Savings:
An increasing number of households are saving monthly: in 2024, 71% of households saved (up from 66% in 2023), and half could easily gather enough money to make a purchase equivalent to their monthly income the following day. Furthermore, 64% of households could manage for more than six months if their primary source of income were to disappear.

- Borrowing:
The percentage of households with consumer debt has decreased from 47% in 2023 to 43% in 2024. Additionally, a growing number of households are not worried about debt: this  percentage rose from 50% in 2023 to 58% in 2024.

- Planning:
Despite the positive developments in other domains, financial planning remains behind. Over a quarter of Dutch households still do not engage in financial planning. The percentage of households not making financial plans for their retirement has increased from 24% in 2023 to 26% in 2024.

Peter van Loon, Partner Financial Services at Deloitte, stated: "Financial health is an important societal issue and is relevant for everyone. Public and private sectors must collaborate more closely, with special attention to vulnerable groups. Households themselves also need to take action."

Recommendations for the Future

1. Keep Financial Health High on the Agenda: Both public and private sectors must continue to collaborate to promote financial health, especially concerning the challenges faced by vulnerable groups.

2. Normalize Discussions on Financial Health: Encouraging conversations about finances can lead to better financial knowledge and understanding, which in turn can improve overall financial health. Specific attention should be paid to the most vulnerable groups.

3. Increase Understanding of the Positive Effects of Working More: There needs to be greater awareness of how additional working hours contribute to better financial health both now and in the long term. The government and employers play a crucial role in improving the working environment and facilitating access to additional hours.

4. Implement Specific Policies for Vulnerable Groups: Given the deteriorating financial health of young adults, targeted actions are needed, such as providing a guaranteed income and affordable housing solutions.

Research Accountability

In 2024, Deloitte conducted the fourth study on the financial health of Dutch households. In November 2024, 5,001 respondents were surveyed regarding their behaviour, attitudes, and knowledge regarding the underlying domains of Income, Spending, Savings, Borrowing, and Planning, and the interaction between them.

The research was developed and conducted in collaboration with Nibud and academics from Tilburg University and Leiden University. The results are weighted to be representative of age, gender, region, and income. The questionnaire was administered online and distributed in Dutch.