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- The underlying topic folders regarding 'migration background' have been replaced by 'Born in the Netherlands' and 'Born abroad';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
- Population growth
- The increase or decrease of the population.
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.- Immigration
- People moving to the Netherlands from another country.
In order to be counted as immigrants, these persons must be registered in the municipal population registers.
Up to and including September 1994: with the exception of a number of special cases, a person with the Dutch nationality was registered if they expected to stay in the Netherlands for longer than 30 days and for a person with a non-Dutch nationality if the expected duration of stay was more then 180 days.
From October 1994: people are registered if they expect to stay in the Netherlands for at least four months.People moving to the Netherlands from another country.
Break in series external migration
As a result of an improved production process, a small shift has occurred in the figures on external migration.
From 2010 the following changes have been implemented.
- previously missed reports are now included;
- administrative entries preceding emigration are now considered as immigration
- administrative removals followed by immigration are now considered as emigration
- Migration
- A move between two geographic entities resulting in a change of municipality or country.
Break in series of late reports
Up to 2010 reports of events in a certain year received at Statistics Netherlands after 15 February of the following year - the so-called late reports - were ignored. As a result of an improvement in the production method, late reports received in the year of publication will be included in the figures for the year of publication.- External migration
- People moving to the Netherlands from another country (immigration) or People leaving for another country (emigration).
Break in series external migration
As a result of an improved production process, a small shift has occurred in the figures on external migration.
From 2010 the following changes have been implemented.
- previously missed reports are now included;
- administrative entries preceding emigration are now considered as immigration
- administrative removals followed by immigration are now considered as emigration- By nationality
- External migration by nationality.
Nationality
Being the legal subject of a particular nation (citizenship).
All residents who do not (also) have the Dutch nationality are considered foreigners excluding those employed in a number of foreign or international organizations, diplomats and persons belonging to the NATO military.
NATO:
North Atlantic Treaty Organization.- Immigration
- People moving to the Netherlands from another country.
In order to be counted as immigrants, these persons must be registered in the municipal population registers.
Up to and including September 1994: with the exception of a number of special cases, a person with the Dutch nationality was registered if they expected to stay in the Netherlands for longer than 30 days and for a person with a non-Dutch nationality if the expected duration of stay was more then 180 days.
From October 1994: people are registered if they expect to stay in the Netherlands for at least four months.- Total immigration
- Dutch
- Immigration of persons with the Dutch nationality.
- Total non-Dutch
- Immigration of persons with non-Dutch nationalities (including nationality unknown).
Non-Dutch:
Everyone who does not posses the Dutch nationality and is not to be treated as a Dutch citizen on the basis of a legal clause.
All residents who do not (also) have the Dutch nationality are considered foreigners excluding those employed in a number of foreign or international organizations, diplomats and persons belonging to the NATO military.
NATO:
North Atlantic Treaty Organization.
- European Union (excluding Dutch)
- Immigration of persons with a nationality of an European Union member state (excluding the Netherlands).
European Union
Cooperation of European states, established under this name by the Maastricht Treaty in 1993, but with predecessors in the 1950s, aimed at achieving common goals in the political, economic and legal field. An important goal is the free movement of persons, goods, services and capital within the partnership In many areas, Member States have delegated powers to the partnership, and there are areas where Member States' right to self-determination is maintained and decisions can only be taken by unanimity.
Composition of the European Union (excluding the Netherlands):
From 1-1-1958: Belgium, Federal Republic of Germany, France, Italy and Luxembourg.
Joined 1-1 January 1973: Denmark, Ireland and United Kingdom.
Joined 1-1-1981: Greece.
Joined 1-1 January86: Portugal and Spain.
Joined 1-1-1995: Austria, Finland and Sweden.
Joined 1-5-05: Cyprus, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia and the Czech Republic.
Joined 1-1 January 2007: Bulgaria, Romania.
Joined 1-7-2013: Croatia.
Leaving on January 31, 2020: United Kingdom.
- Moroccan
- Immigration of persons with a Moroccan nationality.
- Turkish
- Immigration of persons with a Turkish nationality.
- By country of birth
- International migration by country of birth
- Immigration
- People moving to the Netherlands from another country.
All persons who enter the Netherlands with the intention of staying in
the country for a certain period of time. For people arriving in the
Netherlands, registration is obligatory if they stay in the country for
at least four months during the first six months following registration.
In order to be counted as immigrants, these persons must be registered in the municipal population registers.
Up to and including September 1994: with the exception of a number of special cases, a person with the Dutch nationality was registered if they expected to stay in the Netherlands for longer than 30 days and for a person with a non-Dutch nationality if the expected duration of stay was more then 180 days.
From October 1994: people are registered if they expect to stay in the Netherlands for at least four months.- Total immigration
- The Netherlands
- Immigration of persons born in the Netherlands.
- European Union (excluding the Netherl...
- Total immigration of persons born in one of the European Union member states (excluding the Netherlands).
European Union
Cooperation of European states, established under this name by the Maastricht Treaty in 1993, but with predecessors in the 1950s, aimed at achieving common goals in the political, economic and legal field. An important goal is the free movement of persons, goods, services and capital within the partnership In many areas, Member States have delegated powers to the partnership, and there are areas where Member States' right to self-determination is maintained and decisions can only be taken by unanimity.
Composition of the European Union (excluding the Netherlands):
From 1-1-1958: Belgium, Federal Republic of Germany, France, Italy and Luxembourg.
Joined 1-1 January 1973: Denmark, Ireland and United Kingdom.
Joined 1-1-1981: Greece.
Joined 1-1 January86: Portugal and Spain.
Joined 1-1-1995: Austria, Finland and Sweden.
Joined 1-5-05: Cyprus, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia and the Czech Republic.
Joined 1-1 January 2007: Bulgaria, Romania.
Joined 1-7-2013: Croatia.
Leaving on January 31, 2020: United Kingdom.
- Indonesia
- Immigration of persons born in Indonesia.
Indonesia:
Until May 20, 2002: Indonesia, Portuguese Timor, Dutch New Guinea and Dutch East Indies.
From May 20, 2002: Indonesia, Dutch Nieuwguinea and Dutch East Indies.
- Suriname and Dutch Caribbean
- Immigration of persons born in Suriname or 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.
- Suriname
- Immigration of persons born in Suriname.
- Dutch Caribbean
- Immigration of persons born in 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.
- Morocco
- Immigration of persons born in Morocco, Spanish Sahara, Ifni and Western Sahara.
- Turkey
- Immigration of persons born in Turkey.
- Specific emigration countries
- Immigration of persons born in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, South Africa or the United States of America.
Australia:
Australia, Christmas Island, Cocos Islands and Tasmania.
Canada:
Canada and Newfoundland.
United States:
United States of America, Hawaii Islands.
- By country of departure / destination
- External migration by country of departure or country of destination.
- Immigration
- People moving to the Netherlands from another country.
All persons who enter the Netherlands with the intention of staying in
the country for a certain period of time. For people arriving in the
Netherlands, registration is obligatory if they stay in the country for
at least four months during the first six months following registration.
In order to be counted as immigrants, these persons must be registered in the municipal population registers.
Up to and including September 1994: with the exception of a number of special cases, a person with the Dutch nationality was registered if they expected to stay in the Netherlands for longer than 30 days and for a person with a non-Dutch nationality if the expected duration of stay was more then 180 days.
From October 1994: people are registered if they expect to stay in the Netherlands for at least four months.- Total immigration
- European Union (excluding the Netherl...
- Immigration of persons coming from one of the European Union member states (excluding the Netherlands).
European Union
Cooperation of European states, established under this name by the Maastricht Treaty in 1993, but with predecessors in the 1950s, aimed at achieving common goals in the political, economic and legal field. An important goal is the free movement of persons, goods, services and capital within the partnership In many areas, Member States have delegated powers to the partnership, and there are areas where Member States' right to self-determination is maintained and decisions can only be taken by unanimity.
Composition of the European Union (excluding the Netherlands):
From 1-1-1958: Belgium, Federal Republic of Germany, France, Italy and Luxembourg.
Joined 1-1 January 1973: Denmark, Ireland and United Kingdom.
Joined 1-1-1981: Greece.
Joined 1-1 January86: Portugal and Spain.
Joined 1-1-1995: Austria, Finland and Sweden.
Joined 1-5-05: Cyprus, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia and the Czech Republic.
Joined 1-1 January 2007: Bulgaria, Romania.
Joined 1-7-2013: Croatia.
Leaving on January 31, 2020: United Kingdom.
- Indonesia, Suriname, Dutch Caribbean
- Immigration of persons from Indonesia, Suriname and Dutch Caribbean.
Indonesia:
Indonesia, Dutch East Indies, Dutch New Guinea, Portuguese Timor.
(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.
- Suriname and Dutch Caribbean
- Immigration of persons from Suriname and 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.
- Dutch Caribbean
- Immigration of persons from 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
- Immigration of persons from Indonesia.
Indonesia:
Dutch East Indies, Dutch New Guinea, Indonesia, Portuguese Timor.
- Morocco
- Immigration of persons from Morocco.
- Suriname
- Immigration of persons from Suriname.
- Turkey
- Immigration of persons from Turkey.
- Specific emigration countries
- Immigration of persons from Australia, Canada, New-Zealand, Republic of South-Africa and the United States of America.