With a population of just above 17 million, the Netherlands’ overall score in the 2020 Contraception Atlas is 87%, making it one of the top scorers in the region. The Netherlands demonstrated particularly high scores on the availability of online information (91.1%). For young women until 21, a range of contraceptives are reimbursed, however, since 2011 contraception is not covered under basic health insurance for all women. As of 2019, a new Ministry of Health program was launched to cover contraception for vulnerable groups. This is a part of a broader national program to prevent unwanted pregnancies. The country has an estimated contraceptive prevalence rate of 65, one of the lowest adolescent birth rates in Europe (4), and a relative low abortion rate of 151 per 1000 live births.
Recommendations:
- The reimbursement of contraceptive supplies should be extended in the Netherlands to all women of reproductive age, not only to those belonging to focused population groups. Contraception should be thus covered under basic health insurance.
- The Netherlands should aim at ensuring the availability of highly trained specialists as well as the availability of free contraception supplies in rural areas.
- The online information provided by the government’s site should include all modern contraception means, as well as price and venues to buy contraception and possible reimbursement rights of the residents
Breakdown by Criteria
Policies related to supplies and counselling
- Reimbursement
✔️Reimbursement within the national health system
✔️Special reimbursement for adolescents (until 19)
✔️Special Reimbursement for vulnerable groups (unemployed/low income)
- Counselling
✔️Available, accessible, and affordable consultation
✔️No need for third-party consent
✔️Legal status (marital, citizenship) is not a barrier
- Prescription requirements
✔️Availability of emergency contraception without prescription
❌Availability of self-administered hormonal contraception without prescription
Availability of online information
- Type of online information
Website provided by goverment supported integrated website
✔️Number of contraceptives - good
✔️Info on costs of contraceptives
✔️Info on where to get contraceptives
- User friendliness
✔️Regional or minority language included
✔️Web design
✔️Discoverability of the website
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