Education level continues to significantly influence health behaviors in the Netherlands, with higher-educated individuals generally adopting healthier habits. They tend to have a lower average BMI compared to their lower-educated counterparts, according to a comprehensive study by Radboud University in collaboration with the Social and Cultural Planning Office (SCP).
Higher-educated Dutch adults smoke less frequently, consume more vegetables and fruit, and are more likely to engage in intensive exercise at least once a week. However, they also drink alcohol more regularly. Notably, young women across all education levels drink less often than men, with the starkest education-related differences in regular drinking observed among women aged 46-70.
Alcohol consumption patterns are also linked to parental education: a greater share of Dutch individuals with university-educated parents drink regularly, regardless of their own education level. A partner's habits play a role too—living with a higher-educated nonsmoker reduces one's own smoking risk but increases the likelihood of regular alcohol use, while partnering with someone of lower or intermediate education correlates with higher average BMI.
Unhealthy behaviors like smoking, excessive alcohol use, and overweight often cluster together, particularly among lower-educated groups. Conversely, higher-educated individuals more frequently exhibit multiple healthy traits—such as daily fruit and vegetable intake combined with regular exercise—leading to an overall healthier lifestyle profile.
