Key figures general practice care 2025: number of home visits keeps declining

In 2025, Dutch general practitioners made fewer home visits than in previous years, continuing the downward trend. At the same time, the number of people registered by their GP as having obesity or being overweight increased. These are key findings based on 394 general practices participating in the Nivel Primary Care Database.

Fewer home visits, also to older adults

For years, the number of home visits by general practitioners in the Netherlands has been declining. In 2025, both the number of short and long visits was lower than in 2024. Home visits are primarily made to people aged 75 and over. Also in this age group the number of home visits decreased substantially.

From “Annual results general practitioner care 2025: number of home visits keeps declining”: Number of home visits per 1000 listed persons, 2021-2025
 

More registrations of overweight, obesity and shingles

The number of people known to their GP as having overweight or obesity increased by 39% in 2025. This is likely related to the increased media attention on medication for weight loss. The number of people registered with shingles also increased, with 31% compared to 2024. This may be related to media attention regarding the shingles vaccine. Possibly shingles was registered when the vaccine was administered or discussed

About the research

Nivel collects and analyses routine primary care data from electronic health records. Results on 2025 were based on data from 394 general practices participating in Nivel Primary Care Database, with almost 1,8 million listed persons. Nivel Primary Care Database is funded by the Dutch ministry of Health. Interested in using data from Nivel Primary Care Database for your own research? Data are available under conditions.