Social Networks and Cohesion in the Netherlands: Insights from Combined Administrative and Survey Data

Statistics Netherlands (CBS) has recently developed the Whole Population Network file, based on administrative data, which includes over a billion interpersonal relationships among approximately 17 million inhabitants of the Netherlands, spanning each year from 2009 onward. Additionally, over the past decade, CBS has conducted the yearly Social Cohesion and Well-being survey, collecting data from more than 83,000 representatives of the population on topics related to social cohesion, such as social contacts, volunteering, political participation, and trust in others and in institutions. For the purposes of this study, we have constructed a merged dataset from the two, and deployed new indicators of Social Cohesion and of Social Networks per respondent. In the study we describe the merged dataset and present the relationships between person’s social networks (person’s centrality) and 17 indicators of social capital as well as the overarching social capital composite index. We further explore, for both the family and neighbouring network, the relationships with the actual social contacts with family members and neighbours. The study highlights the need for refined network measures to enhance understanding of social interactions.