The Network for Health Research in Disasters (GOR Network) publishes a quarterly update on this page, summarising key results from survey research and data from primary care providers. A research update on adults is published every six months. The aim is to provide information to the municipalities, the provinces and the national government of the Netherlands to assist them in formulating policies to facilitate better pandemic preparedness and to mitigate the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Mild increase in good perceived health

In general, young people seem to be doing somewhat better in March 2025. The percentage of young people who perceived their health as good increased slightly between December 2024 and March 2025, from 82% to 84%.

Also mild improvement in mental well-being

The mental well-being of young people shows a mild improvement. 83% of young people usually felt happy, compared to 82% in December 2024 and 79% in December 2023. The percentage of young people who seriously thought about suicide in the past three months also dropped from 15% in December to 13% in March. That means that a similar number of young people indicated having these thoughts as in March and June 2024. Other than that, 20% of young people experienced a need for help because they felt distressed, compared to 22% in December. More and more young people also indicated that they had found sufficient suitable help.

Fewer GP visits for feelings of depression

Primary care data also shows a mild improvement in the mental well-being of young people. In the first quarter of 2025, GP visits related to feelings of depression were 10% lower compared to the same period in 2019. In 2023 and 2024, there were more visits compared to 2019. Young people did visit the GP more often (19%) for feelings of anxiety compared to 2019, but the difference between 2025 and 2019 was less than in previous years.

On the other hand, the number of GP contacts related to suicide attempts and suicidal thoughts remained high this quarter: 34% more than in the same period in 2019. A gradual upward trend has been observed in recent years, which has increased since 2021. There is also a slight upward trend in dizziness. GP visits for this symptom are now 46% higher than in the same period in 2019.

Decreased confidence in the future

Despite the improvement in mental well-being, fewer young people feel confident about the future. This is also reflected in the rising percentage of young people who are concerned about the consequences of war (61) and global politics (54%). Closer to home, many young people are concerned about inflation (70%) and whether there will be affordable housing for themselves and/or their loved ones (69%). 

Decrease in percentage of young people with post-COVID

In March 2025, 2% of young people indicated that they suffered from long-term symptoms after a SARS-CoV-2 infection (post-COVID). This is fewer than the percentage in December 2024 (3%). In December 2024, it was already apparent that fewer people were contracting post-COVID and that recovery generally took place within a year after the onset of symptoms: Recovery from post-COVID often takes under 12 months, but symptoms could persist for years. 

What young people still notice about the COVID-19 period

In previous survey rounds, young people described what they still noticed about the COVID-19 period in their day-to-day lives, even after the lockdowns. Based on their answers to those open questions, we came up with statements for this survey round that young people could respond to with a range of answers, from ‘completely agree’ to ‘completely disagree’, as well as ‘don’t know’ and ‘not applicable’.  

COVID-19 period is no longer closely related to life today

More than half of young people (56%) agreed with the statement that the COVID-19 period is no longer closely related to their lives today. One-quarter (24%) sometimes yearns to return to that time, because it was a quieter period for them, with more free time. 48% did indicate that they still regretted not being able to celebrate important milestones in their lives. In addition, 15% no longer wanted to think about or discuss the COVID-19 period because they had unpleasant memories about that time.  

Lingering coronavirus measures

Coronavirus measures also sometimes ‘linger’ in behaviour and thoughts. In March 2025, 12% of young people were still occasionally questioning whether they should use a COVID-19 test or follow coronavirus measures when they have cold symptoms. 10% also indicated that they regretted that fewer people wanted to be touched by them since the COVID-19 period. Other than that, 15% felt they were less spontaneous and 28% indicated that they were on their own more since the COVID-19 period.  

Uneasy in social situations

Some young people also still felt uneasy in social situations. 14% of young people agreed or completely agreed with the statement that they found it more difficult to get to know new people as a result of the COVID-19 period. Since then, 16% also frequently felt uneasy in large groups, and 11% often felt uncomfortable in a new situation. In addition, one-fifth indicated that they had been less able to handle stimuli since the COVID-19 period.  

Delays at school and work

30% of young people agreed with the statement that they had encountered delays in secondary school or university during the pandemic, and one in ten had experienced less progress in their work due to online education and missing out on internships.

However, nearly half were pleased that it has become easier to work from home and about one-third were pleased that classes are taught online more since the pandemic.

This information in Dutch