Population; key figures
Explanation of symbols
Table explanation
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 17 July 2024:
Final figures with regard to population growth for 2023 and final figures of the population on 1 January 2024 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- The topic folder 'Population by migration background' has been replaced by 'Population by origin';
- The underlying topic folders regarding 'first and second generation migration background' have been replaced by 'Born in the Netherlands' and 'Born abroad';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 2025 final figures with regard to population growth for 2024 and final figures of the population on 1 January 2025 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
- 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
- Other America and Oceania
- Born in the Netherlands
- Person born in the Netherlands.
- 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
- Other America and Oceania
- Born abroad
- Person born abroad.
- 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
- Other America and Oceania