Three years of COVID-19 in figures

Soon after the arrival of coronavirus in the Netherlands, the number of deaths rose to far above the expected mortality rate. There was also excess mortality during the second wave in autumn and winter 2020/’21, as well as a year later during the third wave. Death cause statistics show evidence of significant overlap between the excess mortality and COVID-19 mortality, although during the third wave, the former exceeded the latter. In 2022, excess mortality persisted and again exceeded COVID-19 mortality (known up to October inclusive). A total of 47,076 thousand people died of confirmed COVID-19 in the period 2020 to October 2022 inclusive.

Population growth halved, especially due to lower immigration

In the first year, the coronavirus pandemic inhibited population growth. Population growth was halved in 2020 relative to 2019. Deaths exceeded births, and growth due to to foreign migration came to a virtual standstill upon the introduction of measures to halt the spread of coronavirus. As travel was restricted, in 2020 the number of immigrants arriving in the Netherlands fell below 221 thousand, 58 thousand less than in the previous year.
The Dutch population growth rate returned to earlier levels in 2021. In that year, a minor baby boom occurred with 10 thousand more births than in 2020. That was, however, short-lived: the number of births declined again in 2022. In combination with persistently elevated mortality, this resulted in negative natural growth (births minus deaths) in 2022. Immigration surged as of March 2022, mainly due to the war in Ukraine. Even without migration to and from Ukraine, net migration was still higher than in 2021. More immigrants arrived from Syria, Turkey and India in particular.

More mental complaints, especially among young people

At the end of 2020 and throughout 2021, more people reported mental complaints than in previous years. During the coronavirus crisis, the mental health of young people in particular deteriorated. Approximately 18 percent of 12 to 24-year-olds reported mental health complaints in 2021, which was still 11 percent before the onset of the pandemic. This is evident from the National Health Survey conducted by CBS.

Almost half of the respondents aged 12 to 24 said the coronavirus crisis had had a negative or very negative impact on their lives. 43 percent experienced both negative and positive consequences. These are results from the 'Perceptions 2021' survey. Young people especially missed doing fun things outdoors and meeting up with family or friends during the coronavirus crisis. They also experienced more school or study stress than before the crisis.

Less exercise, more screen time

At the end of 2020, one-third of the Dutch population aged 12 and over said they had started playing sports and exercising less due to the coronavirus measures. On the other hand, 15 percent had started playing sports and exercising more often. The coronavirus crisis particularly impacted the physical activity of young adults aged 18 to 24: in this group, 45 percent were less active in physical exercise. Significant shifts were seen among people working from home, with a large group exercising less (38 percent) on the one hand and a substantial group exercising more often on the other (23 percent). Screen time that was not spent on work or school increased considerably at 41 percent.

In addition, 20 percent of the Dutch population aged 12 and over said they had begun eating more unhealthy snacks because of the coronavirus measures; conversely, while 10 percent said they had reduced their intake of snacks instead. The intake mainly increased among teenagers and young adults (31 percent).

Fewer marriage and partnership registrations

Throughout the pandemic, fewer marriages were contracted. Both in 2020 and in 2021, fewer people married than in 2019. The first lockdown led to a sudden drop. The second lockdown fell in winter, a season with traditionally fewer marriages. Even after that, the number of marriage registrations lagge behind due to (uncertainty about) new periods of coronavirus measures. The number of partnership registrations also dropped during the first lockdown, but that was subsequently followed by a slight increase relative to previous years. The measures possibly led to a number of couples opting for a civil partnership rather than a marriage.

Less crime, fewer break-ins and thefts during lockdowns

Registered crime declined during the lockdowns. Declines occurred during the first lockdown in March 2020; following the announcement of the second lockdown in mid-October 2020; and once again towards the end of 2021. The dips may have been due in part to the empty high streets and more people working from home during the lockdowns. As a result, there were fewer cases of house burglary, pickpocketing and shoplifting. The number of pickpocketing and shoplifting registrations went up again in 2022.

More domestic overnight stays

In 2020, travel restrictions caused a year-on-year decline in the number of holiday days spent abroad: at 81 million days, more than three times less. The number rose again to 117 million in 2021. More Dutch people booked overnight stays at domestic tourist accommodations (e.g. hotels and cottages), while foreign visitors showed a decrease. In 2022, tourists booked a record number of overnight stays in the Netherlands; the increase was mainly due to more foreign visitors.

The number of air passengers at the five major airports also showed a year-on-year decline in both 2020 and 2021. Travellers stayed closer to home and travelled mainly within Europe. In 2022, there were twice as many passenger departures and arrivals at Dutch airports; nevertheless, it was still lower than the year before the pandemic by one quarter.