The latest figures from Statistics Netherlands (CBS) have revealed that population growth in Netherlands it was 20% less in the first three quarters of 2024 compared to the same period last year. Any growth experienced can be attributed entirely to foreign migration, which is why declining immigration has resulted in a lower population growth rate.

Population growth in the Netherlands due to foreign migration

In the first nine months of this year, the population of the Netherlands increased by 85,300 people to bring the total population to 18.03 million. Compared to the same period in 2023, the population grew by almost 24,000 fewer people – mainly due to fewer people moving to the Netherlands.

By the end of September, 243,000 people had become Dutch residents (18,000 less than in 2023), while 154,000 people left the country (4,000 more than in 2023). There were also more deaths (128,000) than births in the Netherlands (125,000). According to CBS, this means that the country has experienced a negative natural growth rate, with foreign migration still the only reason why the Dutch population has grown.

Asia is the most common continent for people to go to Netherlands and Syria is the most common country. In 2024, so far, 18,000 people have left Syria to make the Netherlands their home. However, the Dutch government it is plans to impose border controls among other measures, which he claims will reduce the number of people coming to the Netherlands to seek asylum.

On the other hand, due to the aging of the population and the shortage of workers in the Netherlandsmany Dutch companies fill job vacancies with workers from outside the country and with incentives like the 30 percent deciding (soon 27 percent deciding), which gives highly skilled migrants a tax break, there will still be an influx of internationals.

Fewer EU immigrants in the Netherlands

When people move to the Netherlands from other EU countries, it is mainly for WORK, studied or family. In the first three quarters of 2024, 83,000 EU citizens (not incl Dutch citizens) settled in the Netherlands, while over 66,000 moved outside the country.

Even though this shows a positive migration balance of 17,000 EU immigrants, compared to 28,000 in 2023 and 35,000 in 2022, it is clear that fewer people from EU countries are moving to the Netherlands. The countries from which immigration to the Netherlands has decreased the most are Poland and Bulgaria.

A similar pattern can be observed in other European countries such as Spain, Italy, Belgium and France. Although there are still more people moving from these countries to the Netherlands than leaving, the opposite is true for Germany, where more German citizens removed.

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