Population; key figures
Explanation of symbols
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.
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
Figures on population by origin are only available from 2022 at this moment. The periods 1996 through 2021 will be added to the table at a later time.
Status of the figures:
All the figures are final.
Changes as of 9 August 2023:
Final figures with regard to population growth for 2022 and final figures of the population on 1 January 2023 have been added.
Changes as of 26 April 2023:
None, this is a new table. This table succeeds the table Population; key figures; 1950-2022. See section 3.
The following changes have been implemented compared to the discontinued table:
- The topic folder 'Population by migration background' has been replaced by 'Population by origin';
- The underlying topic folders regarding 'first and second generation migration background' have been replaced by 'Born in the Netherlands' and 'Born abroad';
- The origin countries Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Turkey have been assigned to the continent of Asia (previously Europe).
When will new figures be published?
In the last quarter of 2024 final figures with regard to population growth for 2023 and final figures of the population on 1 January 2024 will be added.
Description topics
- Population by country of origin
- Population in The Netherlands on 1 January.
Population
The total number of people residing in The Netherlands.
Only persons recorded in the population register of a Dutch municipality are included in the population. In principle, every person who lives in the Netherlands for an indefinite period is included in the population register of the municipality. Persons belonging to the population of the Netherlands for whom no permanent place of residence can be designated, are included in the population register of the municipality of The Hague. The population registers do not include the persons living in the Netherlands to whom exemption rules apply with regard to inclusion in the population registers (for example diplomats and NATO military personnel) and persons without legal residence in the Netherlands.
Country of origin
Characteristic indicating in which country a person was born or where their parents were born.
The origin of persons born abroad is determined by their own country of birth. For people born in the Netherlands, the origin is determined by the parents’ country of birth. When both parents are born abroad, the mother’s country of birth is leading in determining origin. The birth records of the mother are more often known than those of the father. When the mother was born in the Netherlands or the mother’s country of birth is unknown, the father’s country of birth is used.- Country of origin
- Europe (excluding the Netherlands)
- The countries of Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Turkey fall within this classification under Asia.
- Outside Europe
- Total outside Europe
- Turkey
- Morocco
- Morocco, Ifni, Spanish Sahara, Western Sahara.
- Suriname
- Dutch Caribbean
- The designation 'Dutch Caribbean' replaces the term '(former) Netherlands Antilles and Aruba'.
Aggregate of countries belonging to the territory of the Netherlands Antilles prior to 10 October 2010 plus Aruba. These islands are Bonaire, Curaçao, Saba, St Eustatius, St Maarten and Aruba.
The Netherlands Antilles ceased to exist on 10 October 2010, as all the islands now have a new status. From 10 October the Kingdom of the Netherlands consists of four countries: the Netherlands, Aruba, Curaçao and St Maarten. Curaçao and St Maarten are new countries within the Kingdom; they are autonomous countries with a special status (status aparte) within the Kingdom. The countries have autonomous government and are now no longer dependent on the Netherlands.The public bodies of Bonaire, St Eustatius and Saba, also called the Caribbean Netherlands, have a closer relationship with the Netherlands and function as 'special municipalities'.
On 1 January 1986 Aruba seceded from the Netherlands Antilles and became a new autonomous country with a special status (status aparte) within the Kingdom of the Netherlands. Aruba has an autonomous government and is now no longer dependent on the Netherlands.
- Indonesia
- Until 20-05-2002: Indonesia, Dutch East-Indies, Dutch New Guinea, Portuguese Timor.
From 20-05-2005: Indonesia, Dutch East-Indies, Dutch New Guinea.
Until May 20, 2002: Indonesia, Dutch East Indies, Dutch New Guinea and Portuguese Timor.
From 20 May 2002: Indonesia, Dutch East Indies, Dutch New Guinea.
Portuguese Timor exists as an independent country on 20 May 2002 under the name Timor Leste.
- Other Africa
- Other Asia
- The countries of Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Turkey fall within this classification under Asia.
- Other America and Oceania
- Born in the Netherlands
- Person born in the Netherlands.
- Europe (excluding the Netherlands)
- The countries of Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Turkey fall within this classification under Asia.
- Outside Europe
- Total outside Europe
- Turkey
- Morocco
- Morocco, Ifni, Spanish Sahara, Western Sahara.
- Suriname
- Dutch Caribbean
- The designation 'Dutch Caribbean' replaces the term '(former) Netherlands Antilles and Aruba'.
Aggregate of countries belonging to the territory of the Netherlands Antilles prior to 10 October 2010 plus Aruba. These islands are Bonaire, Curaçao, Saba, St Eustatius, St Maarten and Aruba.
The Netherlands Antilles ceased to exist on 10 October 2010, as all the islands now have a new status. From 10 October the Kingdom of the Netherlands consists of four countries: the Netherlands, Aruba, Curaçao and St Maarten. Curaçao and St Maarten are new countries within the Kingdom; they are autonomous countries with a special status (status aparte) within the Kingdom. The countries have autonomous government and are now no longer dependent on the Netherlands.The public bodies of Bonaire, St Eustatius and Saba, also called the Caribbean Netherlands, have a closer relationship with the Netherlands and function as 'special municipalities'.
On 1 January 1986 Aruba seceded from the Netherlands Antilles and became a new autonomous country with a special status (status aparte) within the Kingdom of the Netherlands. Aruba has an autonomous government and is now no longer dependent on the Netherlands.
- Indonesia
- Until 20-05-2002: Indonesia, Dutch East-Indies, Dutch New Guinea, Portuguese Timor.
From 20-05-2005: Indonesia, Dutch East-Indies, Dutch New Guinea.
Until May 20, 2002: Indonesia, Dutch East Indies, Dutch New Guinea and Portuguese Timor.
From 20 May 2002: Indonesia, Dutch East Indies, Dutch New Guinea.
Portuguese Timor exists as an independent country on 20 May 2002 under the name Timor Leste.
- Other Africa
- Other Asia
- The countries of Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Turkey fall within this classification under Asia.
- Other America and Oceania
- Born abroad
- Person born abroad.
- Europe (excluding the Netherlands)
- The countries of Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Turkey fall within this classification under Asia.
- Outside Europe
- Total outside Europe
- Turkey
- Morocco
- Morocco, Ifni, Spanish Sahara, Western Sahara.
- Suriname
- Dutch Caribbean
- The designation 'Dutch Caribbean' replaces the term '(former) Netherlands Antilles and Aruba'.
Aggregate of countries belonging to the territory of the Netherlands Antilles prior to 10 October 2010 plus Aruba. These islands are Bonaire, Curaçao, Saba, St Eustatius, St Maarten and Aruba.
The Netherlands Antilles ceased to exist on 10 October 2010, as all the islands now have a new status. From 10 October the Kingdom of the Netherlands consists of four countries: the Netherlands, Aruba, Curaçao and St Maarten. Curaçao and St Maarten are new countries within the Kingdom; they are autonomous countries with a special status (status aparte) within the Kingdom. The countries have autonomous government and are now no longer dependent on the Netherlands.The public bodies of Bonaire, St Eustatius and Saba, also called the Caribbean Netherlands, have a closer relationship with the Netherlands and function as 'special municipalities'.
On 1 January 1986 Aruba seceded from the Netherlands Antilles and became a new autonomous country with a special status (status aparte) within the Kingdom of the Netherlands. Aruba has an autonomous government and is now no longer dependent on the Netherlands.
- Indonesia
- Until 20-05-2002: Indonesia, Dutch East-Indies, Dutch New Guinea, Portuguese Timor.
From 20-05-2005: Indonesia, Dutch East-Indies, Dutch New Guinea.
Until May 20, 2002: Indonesia, Dutch East Indies, Dutch New Guinea and Portuguese Timor.
From 20 May 2002: Indonesia, Dutch East Indies, Dutch New Guinea.
Portuguese Timor exists as an independent country on 20 May 2002 under the name Timor Leste.
- Other Africa
- Other Asia
- The countries of Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Turkey fall within this classification under Asia.
- Other America and Oceania