Over eight in 10 Dutch people regard good health as the most important factor in achieving a ‘good life’. Financial security follows in second place with 75% support and leisure time at 68% rounds up the top three.

The multiple answer online survey was conducted by market research bureau GfK and published on Wednesday.

GfK said there was little difference between replies of men and women, although more women (86%) than men (77%) regarded health as important.

More than half of the Dutch respondents found other factors important in a good life. These included travel in their free time (62%), a happy marriage (61%), control over your own life (55%) and owning a home (54%).

However, having children was only considered key to a happy life for 48% of the Dutch respondents.

GfK’s survey polled 23,000 respondents in 17 countries. In global terms, health also topped the ranking, coming in at 78%, followed by financial security at 70% and leisure time at 64%.

Factors not seen as essential to the good life by all respondents included having a good job, a luxury or a second car and expensive clothes and jewellery.