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The Netherlands has the best pension system in the world

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

October 21, 2024

KEY FACTS

The Netherlands has the best pension system in the world, according to the latest annual ranking of the Mercer consulting company and Monash University, Australia, BTA reports.
The Netherlands tops the ranking, which includes the pension systems of 48 countries, including Germany, France, the United Kingdom, the United States, Japan, China, and India, the New site reports.
Finland is second in the ranking, followed by Iceland, Israel and Singapore. At the bottom of the ranking are India, Argentina, Turkey, and the Republic of South Africa.

KEY CONTEXT

According to the researchers, the Dutch pension system is distinguished by the fact that many of the country’s residents accumulate a pension through work. This means that the system has many participants. It also provides good pensions and has good rules.

The researchers see as good the fact that the Netherlands is moving to a new system where the amount of the pension depends more and more on individual choice. The fact that the participants are consulted about this choice is a plus, Mercer reports.

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KEY QUOTE

“Strong regulations and flexibility, for example in relation to the start date, ensure a sustainable pension system,” said pensions expert Mark Hemskerk of Mercer.

WHAT TO WATCH FOR

The Netherlands could further improve its pension system by reducing the level of household debt and providing greater protection for members’ accrued benefits. The researchers also recommend introducing pension credits for carers of young children.

The Future Forbes Realty Global Properties

Cyprus Emerges As A Leading Household Consumer In The European Union

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

June 30, 2025

Overview Of Eurostat Findings

A recent Eurostat survey, which adjusts real consumption per capita using purchasing power standards (PPS), has positioned Cyprus among the highest household consumers in the European Union. In 2024, Cyprus recorded a per capita expenditure of 21,879 PPS, a figure that underscores the country’s robust material well-being relative to other member states.

Comparative Consumption Analysis

Luxembourg claimed the top spot with an impressive 28,731 PPS per inhabitant. Trailing closely were Ireland (23,534 PPS), Belgium (23,437 PPS), Germany (23,333 PPS), Austria (23,094 PPS), the Netherlands (22,805 PPS), Denmark (22,078 PPS), and Italy (21,986 PPS), with Cyprus rounding out this elite group at 21,879 PPS. These figures not only highlight the high expenditure across these nations but also reflect differences in purchasing power and living standards across the region.

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Contrasting Trends In Household Spending

The survey also shed light on countries with lower household spending levels. Hungary and Bulgaria reported the smallest average expenditures, at 14,621 PPS and 15,025 PPS respectively. Meanwhile, Greece and Portugal recorded 18,752 PPS and 19,328 PPS, respectively. Noteworthy figures from France (20,462 PPS), Finland (20,158 PPS), Lithuania (19,261 PPS), Malta (19,622 PPS), Slovenia (18,269 PPS), Slovakia (17,233 PPS), Latvia (16,461 PPS), Estonia (16,209 PPS), and the Czech Republic (16,757 PPS) further illustrate the disparate economic landscapes within the EU. Spain’s figure, however, was an outlier at 10,899 PPS, suggesting the need for further data clarification.

Growth Trends And Economic Implications

Eurostat’s longitudinal analysis from 2019 to 2024 revealed that Croatia, Bulgaria, and Romania experienced the fastest annual increases in real consumer spending, each growing by at least 3.8%. In contrast, five member states, with the Czech Republic experiencing the largest drop at an average annual decline of 1.3%, indicate a varied economic recovery narrative across the continent.

This comprehensive survey not only provides valuable insights into current household consumption patterns but also offers a robust framework for policymakers and business leaders to understand economic shifts across the EU. Such data is integral for strategic decision-making in markets that are increasingly defined by evolving consumer behavior and regional economic resilience.