More and more adults drink no alcohol or no more than one glass per day. In 2012, 38 percent drank little or no alcohol, which increased to 45 percent in 2024. This is evident from the Health Monitor Adults and Elderly 2024. This is a large survey research on the physical and mental health as well as lifestyle of residents aged 18 and older. The research was conducted by the RIVM, the GGD Municipal Health Service (Municipal Health Service) and the CBS Central Bureau of Statistics (Central Bureau of Statistics).
Almost half of the adults meet the guideline of the Health Council: do not drink or drink no more than one glass per day. People with a hbo higher professional education (higher professional education) or university degree, young people aged 18-34, and men comply with the guideline less often than average. Of all participants in the study, 22 percent drank no alcohol at all in the past year. This picture corresponds to previously presented figures from the Health Survey/Lifestyle Monitor 2024.
Smoking and Exercise
The study also looked at smoking and exercise. The National Prevention Agreement (2018) aims for less than five percent of adult smokers by 2040. The percentage of adults who smoke has been declining for years, but since 2020, the decline has slowed. Nationally, it is about sixteen percent. Furthermore, this monitor shows that on average 49 percent of adults meet the exercise guidelines of the Health Council. On average, 57% of adults exercise weekly. This is an increase compared to 2020, when 51% exercised weekly.
About the Research
The Health Monitor Adults and Elderly was conducted between September and December 2024. Almost half a million people in the Netherlands aged 18 and older filled out a questionnaire about their health, well-being, lifestyle, and living environment. More results from the Health Monitor Adults and Elderly are described at VZinfo (external link) and RIVM Statline (external link).
Information about the Health Monitors can be found at www.rivm.nl/gezondheidsmonitors. The results help municipalities and policymakers to work towards better health.
Read the full press release on the website of GGD GHOR Netherlands (external link)