Younger generations in the Netherlands are generally wealthier than the generations before them at the same age.
Statistics Netherlands, known as CBS, reached this conclusion after comparing purchasing power, household wealth and homeownership across different generations.
Purchasing power increased between 1977 and 2024. As a result, younger generations usually have more money to spend than older generations did at the same stage of life.
For example, people born between 1970 and 1985 had nearly 1.5 times the purchasing power of baby boomers when both groups were aged 45.
However, the pattern does not apply to everyone.
People below the age of 25 who were born from 1970 onwards generally had less spending power than earlier generations at the same age.
CBS linked this partly to young people remaining in education for longer before entering full-time employment.
The figures also show that younger generations generally have a higher median net worth at the same age.
Median net worth represents the middle household after all households are ranked by wealth. It does not mean every young person is wealthier than every older person.
Rising house prices played an important role in increasing household wealth between 1993 and 2024.
Millennials experienced particularly strong wealth growth in their thirties. This increase was greater than the growth recorded by older generations during the same stage of life.
The financial crisis between 2009 and 2013 reduced the wealth of the Silent Generation and baby boomers more severely. Younger generations were less affected.
Homeownership also influenced the differences.
Members of the Silent Generation had lower wealth at almost every age because fewer of them owned homes.
Gen Z, however, is now struggling to enter the housing market. Housing shortages and high property prices have made it more difficult for the youngest adults to buy their first homes.
This means younger generations may have more purchasing power and median wealth overall, while many young people still face serious housing challenges.
