Dutch forecast puts remaining life expectancy at 65 at 21 years in 2032

People turning 65 in the Netherlands in 2032 are expected to live for another 21.08 years, according to a new forecast from Statistics Netherlands (CBS). The estimate is used to help set the state pension age for that year.

The forecast is slightly lower than CBS’s estimate last year, which put remaining life expectancy at 21.14 years. CBS says the revision reflects slower-than-expected gains in life expectancy in recent years.

Life expectancy at age 65 fell during the Covid-19 pandemic, from 20.1 years in 2019 to about 19.5 years in 2020 and 2021. It has since risen, reaching 20.05 years in 2025. CBS expects the upward trend to continue, but says projections are uncertain and publishes probability ranges alongside its central estimate.

Under Dutch law, the minister for social affairs and employment will use the forecast for life expectancy at age 65 in 2032 to set the state pension age for that year. The pension age is already set at 67 for 2024 to 2027 and 67 years and three months for 2028 to 2031.