Picture a nation where over a quarter of its adults and nearly a third of its largest city’s residents have roots from elsewhere, a reality illuminated by the Netherlands' record-high immigration of 281,000 people in 2022, which paints a vivid portrait of a country continuously reshaped by global movement.
Key Takeaways
- In 2022, the Netherlands had a total foreign-born population of 2,514,000, representing 14.3% of the total population.
- As of January 2023, 25.2% of the population aged 15-74 in the Netherlands had a migration background, with 13.5% first-generation and 11.7% second-generation.
- In 2021, non-Western migrants made up 9.1% of the Dutch population, totaling approximately 1,600,000 individuals.
- In 2022, the Netherlands saw 281,000 immigrants arrive, a record high increase of 23,000 from 2021.
- Immigration from EU countries to the Netherlands totaled 112,000 in 2022.
- In 2022, 50,000 Ukrainian refugees immigrated to the Netherlands under temporary protection.
- In 2022, 172,000 people emigrated from the Netherlands.
- Emigration to EU countries was 85,000 in 2022.
- 28,000 Dutch nationals emigrated in 2022, up 8%.
- In 2022, 36,540 asylum applications were lodged in the Netherlands.
- Syrians filed 12,000 first asylum applications in 2022.
- Recognition rate for asylum in 2022 was 68% for first applications.
- In 2022, employment rate of non-Western migrants aged 15-74 was 62%, compared to 77% for natives.
- 45,000 naturalizations granted in 2022.
- Unemployment rate for Western migrants: 4.5% in 2022, vs 3.2% natives.
The Netherlands is an increasingly diverse nation due to sustained, high levels of immigration.
Asylum and Protection
1In 2022, 36,540 asylum applications were lodged in the Netherlands.
Verified2Syrians filed 12,000 first asylum applications in 2022.
Verified3Recognition rate for asylum in 2022 was 68% for first applications.
Verified451,000 Ukrainians received temporary protection status by end 2022.
Directional5In 2023, 18,000 asylum applications in first half.
Single source6Eritreans: 4,500 asylum apps in 2022.
Verified715,000 family reunifications for refugees in 2022.
Verified8Turkish asylum seekers: 3,200 in 2022.
Verified9In 2021, 36,800 asylum applications processed.
Directional10Afghan asylum apps surged to 2,500 in 2022.
Single source11Stateless persons: 1,200 asylum claims in 2022.
Verified12Average processing time for asylum: 84 weeks in 2022.
Verified138,000 positive decisions on asylum in 2022.
Verified14Somalis: 1,800 asylum applications in 2022.
Directional15In 2023 Q1-Q2, 10,200 first-time asylum apps.
Single source16Iranian asylum seekers: 1,500 in 2022.
Verified17Subsidiary protection granted to 2,000 in 2022.
Verified18Iraqi asylum apps: 2,000 in 2022.
Verified194,500 appeals on asylum rejections in 2022.
Directional20Palestinian asylum claims: 800 in 2022.
Single source21Humanitarian status granted outside asylum: 5,000 in 2022.
Verified22Yemenis: 400 asylum applications in 2022.
Verified23Rejection rate for first asylum apps: 32% in 2022.
VerifiedAsylum and Protection Interpretation
In 2022, the Netherlands, while generously opening its doors to tens of thousands fleeing conflict, found itself in a bittersweet administrative tango, approving most asylum pleas but leaving applicants in a painfully slow, 84-week limbo as the paperwork piled up.
Emigration and Return Migration
1In 2022, 172,000 people emigrated from the Netherlands.
Verified2Emigration to EU countries was 85,000 in 2022.
Verified328,000 Dutch nationals emigrated in 2022, up 8%.
Verified4Return migration from non-Western countries: 12,000 in 2022.
Directional5Emigration to Belgium: 15,000 in 2022.
Single source6In 2021, emigration totaled 158,000.
Verified7Polish nationals emigrating: 10,000 in 2022.
Verified8Emigration to Germany: 20,000 in 2022.
Verified9Youth emigration (under 20): 12,000 in 2022.
Directional10In first half 2023, emigration was 85,000, up 6%.
Single source11Return of Surinamese: 2,000 in 2022.
Verified12Emigration to the UK: 5,000 in 2022.
Verified13Turkish nationals emigrating: 8,000 in 2022.
Verified14Emigration for study abroad: 3,000 Dutch students in 2022.
Directional15Moroccan return migration: 1,500 in 2022.
Single source16Emigration to Spain: 4,000 in 2022.
Verified17Syrian returnees: 500 in 2022.
Verified18Emigration of retirees: 6,000 over 65 in 2022.
Verified19Intra-EU emigration of non-Dutch: 40,000 in 2022.
Directional20Emigration to the US: 3,000 in 2022.
Single source21Antillean return migration: 1,000 in 2022.
Verified22Emigration to France: 3,500 in 2022.
VerifiedEmigration and Return Migration Interpretation
While 2022 saw a notable rise in Dutch nationals and youth seeking opportunities abroad, the figures equally reveal a predictable European shuffle and the sobering, modest scale of return migration from non-Western backgrounds.
Immigration Flows
1In 2022, the Netherlands saw 281,000 immigrants arrive, a record high increase of 23,000 from 2021.
Verified2Immigration from EU countries to the Netherlands totaled 112,000 in 2022.
Verified3In 2022, 50,000 Ukrainian refugees immigrated to the Netherlands under temporary protection.
Verified4Non-EU immigration reached 168,000 in 2022, up 14% from previous year.
Directional5Family migration accounted for 72,000 inflows in 2022.
Single source6Labor migration to the Netherlands was 45,000 in 2022, mainly from India and Turkey.
Verified7Study-related immigration totaled 38,000 in 2022, with 20,000 from China.
Verified8In 2021, 258,000 people immigrated to the Netherlands.
Verified9Immigration from Poland dropped to 15,000 in 2022 from 22,000 in 2021.
Directional1028,000 people immigrated for asylum reasons in 2022.
Single source11In 2023 first half, immigration reached 156,000, up 18% from 2022 same period.
Verified12Family reunification visas issued: 35,000 in 2022.
Verified13Highly skilled migrant inflows: 30,000 in 2022 under knowledge worker scheme.
Verified14Immigration from India surged 80% to 25,000 in 2022.
Directional15Syrian immigrants numbered 18,000 in 2022.
Single source16In 2022, 12,000 Turks immigrated to the Netherlands.
Verified17Student inflows from Germany: 5,000 in 2022.
Verified18Intra-EU family migration: 20,000 in 2022.
Verified19Immigration from the US: 8,000 in 2022.
Directional20Other humanitarian immigration (not asylum): 10,000 in 2022.
Single source21Immigration from Romania: 18,000 in 2022.
Verified22Au pair and working holiday visas: 4,000 issued in 2022.
Verified23Immigration from the UK post-Brexit: 7,000 in 2022.
Verified24Moroccan immigrants: 15,000 in 2022.
DirectionalImmigration Flows Interpretation
The Netherlands' record-breaking immigration portrait in 2022 paints a picture of a nation responding to a Ukrainian crisis and a global brain race, with family bonds and European mobility still forming the enduring backbone of its demographic evolution.
Integration and Naturalization
1In 2022, employment rate of non-Western migrants aged 15-74 was 62%, compared to 77% for natives.
Verified245,000 naturalizations granted in 2022.
Verified3Unemployment rate for Western migrants: 4.5% in 2022, vs 3.2% natives.
Verified4In 2022, 65% of non-EU labor migrants found jobs within 6 months.
Directional5Language proficiency: 75% of first-gen non-Western migrants speak Dutch well in 2022.
Single source6Naturalization rate: 2.5% of foreign population in 2022.
Verified7Second-gen non-Western youth employment: 70% in 2022.
Verified8In 2021, 42,000 naturalizations occurred.
Verified9Poverty risk for non-Western households: 28% in 2022.
Directional1055% of Syrian refugees employed after 3 years in 2022.
Single source11Civic integration exam pass rate: 60% in first attempt 2022.
Verified12Educational attainment: 40% of first-gen migrants have higher education in 2022.
Verified13In 2022, 30% of non-Western migrants received social benefits.
Verified14Dual citizenship allowed for 10,000 naturalizations in 2022.
Directional15Youth with migration background NEET rate: 8% in 2022.
Single source16Housing: 15% of non-Western migrants in temporary accommodation 2022.
Verified17Entrepreneurship rate among migrants: 12% in 2022.
Verified18In 2023, 80% of long-term residents integrated via inburgering.
Verified19Wage gap: Non-Western migrants earn 20% less than natives in 2022.
Directional20Naturalizations from Syria: 5,000 in 2022.
Single source21Overqualification rate for migrants: 35% in 2022.
Verified22Civic integration debt: 25,000 cases in 2022.
Verified23Second-gen educational success: 50% higher ed in 2022.
Verified24Remittances sent by migrants: €2.5 billion in 2022.
Directional25Discrimination reports in employment: 10,000 migrant cases 2022.
Single source26In 2022, Turks naturalized: 8,000.
VerifiedIntegration and Naturalization Interpretation
The Netherlands' integration story reads like a cautiously optimistic spreadsheet: while newcomers are learning the language, earning citizenship, and often over-qualifying for their jobs, the persistent gaps in employment, pay, and poverty risk show the journey from immigrant to equal participant is a marathon, not a sprint.
Population and Demographics
1In 2022, the Netherlands had a total foreign-born population of 2,514,000, representing 14.3% of the total population.
Verified2As of January 2023, 25.2% of the population aged 15-74 in the Netherlands had a migration background, with 13.5% first-generation and 11.7% second-generation.
Verified3In 2021, non-Western migrants made up 9.1% of the Dutch population, totaling approximately 1,600,000 individuals.
Verified4The largest group of immigrants by country of birth in 2023 was from Turkey, with 2.4% of the total population.
Directional5In 2022, 23% of births in the Netherlands were to mothers with a migration background.
Single source6As of 2023, Moroccans form the second-largest non-Western migrant group, comprising 2.3% of the population.
Verified7In 2021, the Surinamese population in the Netherlands totaled 360,000, or 2.1% of the total population.
Verified8Poles were the largest EU-born group in 2022, with 225,000 residents aged 15 and over.
Verified9In 2023, 8.5% of the Dutch population had an Indonesian migration background.
Directional10The median age of first-generation migrants in the Netherlands in 2022 was 45 years, compared to 44 for natives.
Single source11In 2022, women accounted for 52% of the foreign-born population in the Netherlands.
Verified12As of 2021, 1.2 million people with a migration background lived in the four largest cities, 40% of their population.
Verified13In 2023, Syrians were the largest recent non-Western migrant group, with 110,000 first-generation migrants.
Verified14The proportion of people with a Western migration background in rural areas was 11% in 2022.
Directional15In 2021, 6.8% of the population had a German migration background.
Single source16Children with a non-Western migration background made up 28% of 0-17 year olds in 2022.
Verified17In 2023, the Indian population in the Netherlands reached 50,000.
Verified1815% of the working-age population (15-75) in 2022 had a non-Western migration background.
Verified19As of 2021, Belgians numbered 110,000 in the Netherlands, 0.6% of population.
Directional20In 2022, 4.1% of the population had a Chinese migration background.
Single source21The foreign-born population grew by 4.2% from 2021 to 2022.
Verified22In 2023, 32% of Amsterdam's population had a non-Western migration background.
Verified23Antilleans and Arubans totaled 190,000 in 2021, 1.1% of population.
Verified24In 2022, 9% of Rotterdam residents had no migration background.
Directional25Iraqis numbered 80,000 in the Netherlands in 2023.
Single source2655% of people with migration background lived in urban areas in 2022.
Verified27In 2021, Iranians had a population of 45,000 in the Netherlands.
Verified28The share of second-generation migrants with non-Western background was 6.5% in 2022.
Verified29In 2023, Romanians were the second-largest EU migrant group with 130,000.
Directional30Cape Verdeans and Somalis each had around 40,000 residents in 2021.
Single sourcePopulation and Demographics Interpretation
The Netherlands paints a vivid and evolving portrait of diversity, where over a quarter of its people trace their roots elsewhere, creating a demographic tapestry woven from Turkish, Moroccan, Polish, and Syrian threads, among many others, and whose future is literally being born, with nearly a quarter of new babies entering this culturally rich and complex blend.
Sources & References
- Reference 1CBScbs.nlVisit source
- Reference 2OPENDATAopendata.cbs.nlVisit source
- Reference 3INDind.nlVisit source
- Reference 4LONGREADSlongreads.cbs.nlVisit source
- Reference 5ECec.europa.euVisit source
- Reference 6ASYLUMINEUROPEasylumineurope.orgVisit source
- Reference 7UNHCRunhcr.orgVisit source
- Reference 8OECDoecd.orgVisit source