Elderly fall-related emergency admissions rise in the Netherlands

New data from VeiligheidNL and the Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS) indicate a rising trend in fall-related emergency room admissions among seniors in the Netherlands. In 2025, an estimated 124,000 people aged 65 and older visited emergency departments due to falls, an increase from 119,000 the previous year.

Over the last decade, the number of falls resulting in serious injury has increased by 16 percent, with the most significant rise occurring among those aged 65 to 74. Serious injuries often include bone fractures and brain trauma; approximately one in five emergency admissions involve brain injury. Fatalities also reached a record high, with 7,553 deaths reported in 2025 compared to 7,126 the year prior.

Experts attribute the trend to a ‘double aging’ process, where the population is both larger and older. The rising frequency of falls places increased pressure on healthcare systems and costs. To combat this, the national ‘Ketenaanpak Valpreventie’ was implemented in 2023 to identify high-risk individuals and provide preventative advice and courses. Health officials emphasize the importance of strength training and proactive risk management starting at age 65 to maintain independence.