Demographic situation

In 2025, the Netherlands has a population of over 18 million, living in an area of approximately 41.528 km2 (33.881 km2 land). The population density is 533 people per km2 (2024). In the Netherlands, there are about 4.9 million citizens with a migration background (27,8% of the total population).
The methodology for defining people with a migration background is determined by the country of birth of the parents:

• A person with a Dutch background is defined as a person with both parents born in the Netherlands.
• A person with a migration background is defined as a person of which a at least one parent is born abroad.

In the Netherlands, just over one-third (34,8%) of the population is aged between 40 and 65 years old. The table below gives an image of the age distribution of the population in the Netherlands.

Age distribution of the population of the Netherlands

Source: CBS   

Employment- and  unemployment rates

• The unemployment rates has been stable in the past three months with 374 thousand people unemployed, i.e. 3,7% of the working population (2024). 

Source: CBS

Migration and immigration

On Jan. 1, 2024, the population was 17.9 million. 83.8 percent of the population was born in the Netherlands. For the largest of them, both parents were also born in the Netherlands (72.1 percent). In a smaller proportion, one parent was born abroad (6.3 percent) or both parents were born abroad (5.3 percent). 16.2 percent were themselves born abroad and migrated to the Netherlands.

Of all migrants, about one-third were born in Europe and two-thirds outside Europe. Of them, most are of Turkish, Surinamese or Moroccan origin. There is also a relatively large group from (other) Asia. Among the second generation (born in the Netherlands), the distribution of countries of origin differs according to the parents' country of birth. Of the group with one parent born abroad, just over half are of Foreign European origin. About one-sixth of them have a parent born in Indonesia. Of the group with two foreign-born parents, a large majority are of Foreign European origin. They often have Turkish or Moroccan origins.

Persons with different migration backgrounds do not live equally distributed across the Netherlands. For instance, persons with a non-western background live especially (close to) the four big cities. In Amsterdam, Rotterdam and the Hague more than 50 percent of the residents have a non-western background.

The largest group non-western immigrants are formed by Turks (457.100), closely followed by Moroccans (429.176) and Surinamers (365.352). After the Dutch Antilles and Aruba (194.454) the number of other countries of origin decreases rapidly.

Source: CBS

Education

In 2022/'23, 49 percent of elementary school students whose parents were both foreign-born (second generation) received a havo or vwo recommendation. In 2011/'12, the figure was 38 percent. Pupils born abroad (migrants) also receive this advice more often. More pupils of foreign origin (both migrants and second generation) also followed these forms of education. 

Source: CBS 

Languages

Dutch is the official language in the Netherlands. In addition, the Frisian language is accredited as the second official language in the province Fryslân.

Frisian

• Frisian and Dutch are the official languages in the province Fryslân.  Frisian citizens have the right to use their own languae (Dutch or Frisian). For example in the courtroom or in contact with the municipality. This  is regulated in the Law use Frisian language.
• The law also determined how the legal relations administers the oath or affirmation in Frisian. And how Frisian municipalities set up rules and a policy plan for the use of the Frisian language.
• Frisian is a standardised language. The province, in consultation with the Fryske Akademy determines the spelling of Frisian.

Lowlands Saxon and Limburger
Lowlands Saxon (in 1996)  and Limburger (in 1997) are recognised as regional languages under the European Charter. Through this recognition, the provinces and municipalities concerned can set their own policy for these regional languages. This encourages the cultural heritage of the Netherlands. For example, they give grants to local drama clubs. Or to regional broadcasters that broadcast partly in these languages.
Limburger and Lowlands Saxon are not standardised languages. For instance, Lowlands Saxon has different variants. Including Gronings, Drenths and Twents.

Jiddisj and the languages of Roma an Sinti
Jiddisj and Sinti-Romanes are recognised as non-territorial languages in 1996 by the Netherlands. The speakers of these languages live across the Netherlands but also in other European countries. For example, Sinti and Roma people also live in our neighbourhood countries.

Languages and education
Since 1 January 2016 it is possible for schools in primary education to give up to 15% of their lessons in another language. Schools do not just offer the subject English, but also the instruction of other subjects in English. Teachers can give their courses like physical education and history for example in English. Bilingual Primary Education (TPO) is used as a test on different schools in primary education. With these tests, they give 30- 50 percent of their lessons in English from the first year - onwards. Consequently, children will learn better how to speak English from a very early age. This pilot project will last untill 2019.

It is regulated that in higher education and adult education and vocational education that education is given in Dutch and that examinations are held in Dutch. Education is provided in Dutch, except:

• in the case of language education;
• in the case of guest lectures by foreign-language lecturers, or;
• if the specific nature, organisation, or quality of the programme, or the origin of the students require otherwise.

Religions

Freedom of religion is enshrined in the constitution. In the Netherlands, there is a separation of church and state, there is no state religion. Among the Dutch population of 18 years and older, 42,8% regards themselves as member of an religious denomination or a religious group. The issue at stake is the experience of the believer:

• The Roman Catholics form hereby the largest group (18,2%)
• Around 13,2% are protestants
• In addition, around 5,6% is Muslim
• 6,9% has a different religion (Jewish, Hindu, Buddhist).

Publicly and privately-funded education exist side by side in the Netherlands. Publicly-funded education has a neutral foundation unrelated to any particular religious or ideological doctrine. In privately-run institutions, on the other hand, the teaching and ethos may be based on religious, ideological, social or educational principles.

Source: CBS