Population; households and population dynamics; from 1899
Explanation of symbols
Dataset is not available.
The most important key figures about population, households, population growth, births, deaths, migration, marriages, marriage dissolutions and change of nationality of the Dutch population.
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: 1899
Status of the figures:
All data in this publication are final data.
Changes as of 15 December 2023:
None, this is a new table. This table succeeds the table Population; households and population dynamics; 1899-2019. See section 3.
The following changes have been made:
- The underlying topic folders regarding 'migration background' have been replaced by 'Born in the Netherlands' and 'Born abroad';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 the new figures be published?
The figures for the population development in 2023 and the population on 1 January 2024 will be published in the second quarter of 2024.
Description topics
- Private Households
- A collection of one or more people sharing the same living space, who provide their own everyday needs in a private, non-commercial way.
For 1960-1987 the figures refer to the situation on 31 December, for 1988-1994 to the midyear situation, from 1995 onwards to the situation on 1 January.
Break in series households
From 2011 onwards a new process has been used for the production of figures on household composition. This new method uses data from the municipal population register (GBA) and tax declarations of cohabiting couples. Although the results based on the new production method are in line with previous results, small shifts have occurred in the number of households by composition in 2011. The largest shift is in the number of 'Other households', that is now smaller. The number of persons in institutional households on 1 January 2011 is 12,000 higher than on 1 January 2010. About half of this increase was the result of improvements in the survey method.- Average householdsize
- Average number of people in a private household.
- Live born children
- Live born child:
A baby showing some sign of life after birth, regardless of the duration of pregnancy.
For the period 1900-1924 excluding children born alive who died before the birth was registered.
Break in series of late reports
From 2010 onwards more late reports received in the year of publication will be included in the figures for the year under review.
Lesbian parenthood:
The law on lesbian parenthood came into effect on 1 April 2014. From April 2014 onwards the female partner of the biological mother may become the legal parent of the child without a legal adoption procedure. The same data for both mothers are available in the municipal population register.
Statistics Netherlands does not have information about which of the mothers is the biological mother. To obtain data about, for example, the age, number of children and ethnic background of the mother, Statistics Netherlands selects one of the mothers at random.
Lesbian parenthood occurs in less than 0.2% of all births.- Average number of children per female
- 1900-1935: estimates figures.
Break in series age of the mother
The definition of age has been revised. Until 1950, age was determined on the last birthday, whereas from 1950 it is defined as the difference between the year of birth of the mother and the year of birth of the child (age on 31 December).
Average number of children per female:
The average number of children a woman would have if the age-specific fertility rates in a given year were to apply throughout her life.
Age specific fertility rate:
The number of live-born children born by women of a particular age group in a given period related to the average number of women in that age group and period.
- Marriages
- Contracting a marriage.
Excluding registered partnerships.
Since April 1, 2001, marriage has also been open to same-sex couples.
To be allowed to enter into a marriage in the Netherlands, both partners must have reached the age of eighteen. However, under certain circumstances, a marriage can be conctracted already during the minority. This can be done when both husbants-to-be are at least 16 years old and the bride is pregnant. It may also be desirable to enter into a marriage of minors outside the mentioned exceptional situations. The Minister of Justice can grant an exemption for important reasons.
Marriages counted
1900 to 1952: marriages contracted in the Netherlands including marriages contracted abroad but registered in the Netherlands, i.e. at the time of the marriage husband and/or wife belong to the Dutch population.
1953 to September 1994: all marriages contracted in the Netherlands, irrespective of registration in the Dutch municipal population registers.
From October 1994: the figures refer to married couples of which at least one partner is recorded in the municipal registers, irrespective of the country where the marriage was performed.
Break in series marriages and marrying people
As a result of an improved production process, a slight increase can be observed in the figures on marriages and marrying people from 2010 .
From 2010 onwards marriages taking place abroad in particular are measured more accurately.
Marriage:
Legal, formally sanctioned living arrangement between two people.
Registered partnership:
A marriage-like relationship between two people of the opposite or same sex, registered at the Register of Births, Deaths and Marriages.- Average age marrying males
- Prior to 1950 age was determined by the age on the last birthday, whereas from 1950 age is defined as the difference between the year of the marriage and the year of birth (age on 31 December).
- Average age marrying females
- Prior to 1950 age was determined by the age on the last birthday, whereas from 1950 age is defined as the difference between the year of the marriage and the year of birth (age on 31 December).
- Marriage dissolutions
- Ending a marriage through death or divorce.
Excluding endings of registered partnerships.
Death:
Person declared dead by an authorized doctor.
Divorce:
Dissolution of the marriage pronounced by a judge on the basis of legal grounds. The divorce comes into force once it has been recorded in the municipal population register.
Marriage:
Legal, formally sanctioned living arrangement between two people.
Registered partnership:
A marriage-like relationship between two people of the opposite or same sex, registered at the Register of Births, Deaths and Marriages.- By divorce
- Dissolution of the marriage pronounced by a judge on the basis of legal grounds.
Excluding endings of registered partnerships.
Until October 1994: sentences pronounced by a Dutch court entered into the municipal registers. In 1900 and 1901 this category only refers to marriages contracted in the Netherlands.
From October 1994: at least one of the partners is registered in a Dutch municipality.- Average age males
- Average age males at the time of divorce.
Prior to 1950 age was determined by the age on the last birthday, whereas from 1950 age is defined as the difference between the year of the marriage and the year of birth (age on 31 December).
- Average age females
- Average age females at the time of divorce.
Prior to 1950 age was determined by the age on the last birthday, whereas from 1950 age is defined as the difference between the year of the marriage and the year of birth (age on 31 December).
- Average duration of the marriage
- Average duration of the marriage at time of divorce.
Prior to 1950 duration was determined by the duration on the last birthday, whereas from 1950 duration is defined as the difference between the year of divorce and the year of marriage (duration on 31 December).