Dutch population to hit 17 million by 2016

In 2016, the projected population of the Netherlands will reach 17 million. There is a bigger chance that the 17 millionth resident will be a newborn baby than an immigrant. In the next five years, 180 thousand babies will be born every year and 160 thousand immigrants are projected to enter the country on an annual basis. Annual mortality will average 140 thousand and approximately the same amount of people will leave the country to settle elsewhere. The emigrants are – for a large part – former immigrants.

Currently, the population of the Netherlands is 16.7 million. The 16 million mark was surpassed a decade ago. Presumably, the population will not reach the 18 million mark. Around the year 2040, Statistics Netherlands thinks the population will reach its maximum of 17.8 million.

Population, observation and forecast

Coen van Duin