Population; key figures, 1950-2022

Dataset is not available.


Key figures on the population of the Netherlands.

The following information is available:
- Population by sex;
- Population by marital status;
- Population by age (groups);
- Population by origin;
- Private households;
- Persons in institutional households;
- Population growth;
- Population density.

Statistics Netherlands will reorganise the tables relating to statistics on population and households. The aim is to reduce the number of tables while striving to preserve (much) needed information. This table will be revised as soon as possible.

CBS is in transition towards a new classification of the population by origin. Greater emphasis is now placed on where a person was born, aside from where that person’s parents were born. The term ‘migration background’ is no longer used in this regard. The main categories western/non-western are being replaced by categories based on continents and a few countries that share a specific migration history with the Netherlands. The new classification is being implemented gradually in tables and publications on population by origin.

Data available from 1950 to 2022.

Status of the figures:
All the figures are final.

Changes as of 26 April 2023:
None, this table was discontinued.

When will new figures be published?
No longer applicable. This table is succeeded by the table Population; key figures. See section 3.

Description topics

Population by migration background
Population:
The total number of people residing in the Netherlands.
In the population statistics compiled by Statistics Netherlands the inhabitants of a given area are the people registered in the population register, whose address is located in that area.

Migration background:
The country with which a person has the closest ties, based on his/her parents' country of birth or his/her own country of birth.
The migration background of a person with a first-generation migration background is defined as his or her country of birth.
The migration background of a person with a second-generation migration background is defined as his or her mother's country of birth, unless the mother's country of birth is the Netherlands. In that case, the migration background is defined as the father's country of birth.

Person with a first generation migration background:
Someone born abroad with at least one parent who was born abroad.

Someone with a second generation foreign background:
Someone born in the Netherlands who has at least one parent born abroad.
Persons with a migration background
Person with a migration background:
A person of whom at least one parent was born abroad.
Total with migration background
Non-western migration background
Person with a non-western migration background:
Person originating from a country in Africa, South America or Asia (excluding Indonesia and Japan) or Turkey.
Due to their socioeconomic and cultural position, people from Indonesia and Japan residing in the Netherlands are considered as having a 'western' migration background. These are mainly people born in the former Dutch East Indies and expatriates employed by Japanese companies with their families.
Turkey
First generation migration background
Person with a first generation migration background:
Someone born abroad with at least one parent who was born abroad.
Non-western first generation
Person with a non-western migration background:
Person originating from a country in Africa, South America or Asia (excluding Indonesia and Japan) or Turkey.
Due to their socioeconomic and cultural position, people from Indonesia and Japan residing in the Netherlands are considered as having a 'western' migration background. These are mainly people born in the former Dutch East Indies and expatriates employed by Japanese companies with their families.
Turkey
Second generation migration background
Person with a second-generation migration background:
Person born in the Netherlands who has at least one parent who was born abroad.
Non-western second generation
Person with a non-western migration background:
Person originating from a country in Africa, South America or Asia (excluding Indonesia and Japan) or Turkey.
Due to their socioeconomic and cultural position, people from Indonesia and Japan residing in the Netherlands are considered as having a 'western' migration background. These are mainly people born in the former Dutch East Indies and expatriates employed by Japanese companies with their families.
Turkey