I think you are right that this folding rule predominates in many places in Europe, at least I have also seen it most frequently used in particular in Sweden and Germany as well here in the Netherlands. In fact on the one big job I've worked on with carpenters from different countries I have no memory of seeing one of these retractables even.
For the most part it is simply a matter of tradition, many woodworkers maintaining a more or less conservative attitude. The folding rule is a revision of a simple stick marked with critical measurements usually individuated per job since it's a way of measuring that predates standardized units.
But for a big part is also a matter of precision, the fixed unit more reliable that the flexible. Plus with your folding rule you don't have that hook at the end that needs accounting for when making your mark, this I always find a real irritation. In fact I remember it well that in furniture making school use of the tape measure was particularly discouraged. And I even have a funny anecdote from the time when, me being fresh off the boat and fearing the demise of the folding rule was imminent in the face of globalization's infectious influence, I purchased a hand full of these rules so I was sure to have my lifetime's supply, which I still have, just in case, you know.
But these things also do not exist in isolation, for example the pants I wear have their special accommodation for holding these rules. Unfortunately for me this pocket is without exception always on the right side and I happen to be a lefty, in a radical way so I can never get used to whipping out the rule right-handed and therefore always have to reach across in order to grab hold.
I will say this in addition. When I came here to live I'd had a modest collection of tools brought with me to include my Luftkin 8 meter tape measure. Well last year or so it finally gave out and I had to reluctantly dump it in the trash but still my faithful "duimstock" is giving me reliable measurements and it's looking like it will even outlast my eyes ability to keep reading it.