Half of migrants in the Netherlands don’t think the Dutch are very welcoming

The Netherlands is one of the most diverse and multicultural countries in Europe, but apparently, it is still not so easy to blend in. 

New research by the Dutch Social and Cultural Planning Office (SCP) shows that over half of them don’t think of the Dutchies as hospitable.  

READ MORE: 19 ways to actually make friends as an expat in the Netherlands

What’s more, many internationals and migrants feel not only like outsiders but are often discriminated against because of their background, according to the SCP’s latest research.

Can it be too diverse?

The researchers asked many Dutchies what they thought about their tiny, flat land becoming an increasingly diverse society. 

71% without a migration background believe it is a good thing, while over 90% of the migrants.

While most locals and internationals consider it a positive thing, many are concerned about overpopulation. 

The Dutch housing and labour market are already overwhelmed, and some may worry about accommodating more people. 

Do you think that the Dutchies are welcoming or not? Tell us in the comments!

Feature Image:Freepik
Mihály Droppa
Mihály Droppa
Mihály fell in love with (and in) Amsterdam, so he quit his NGO job in Budapest and moved to Amsterdam to become a journalist. His apartment is full of plants and books, two dogs, and a random mouse in the kitchen. You might find him in Vondelpark, where he spends most of his life throwing tennis balls for his vizslas and listening to podcasts. His nickname is Mex — ask him why!

6 COMMENTS

  1. If u are not happy the way you were handled by the Dutch people go back from where you came. The Dutch people are very well known by their kindness but you, try to behave and live like a REAL DUTCHMAN

  2. SLAVERY SYSTEM STILL EXIST. JUST LIKE HUNDREDS YEARS AGO DUTCHES BROUGHT TO THE NETHERLANDS BLACK SKIN PEOPLE TO HARD WORK, NOW THEY STILL LOOKING FOR CHEAP WORK FORCE IN SOME IMMIGRANTS ..

  3. Honestly, I do think Dutch people have become less welcoming. As mentioned, especially the housing market is quite overwhelmed. And some past immigrants have overstayed their welcome, or abused our openminded systems. So I guess we have grown more suspicious and less welcoming of outsiders.

  4. When I moved here 20+ years ago, people were welcoming to a degree. Most Dutch people live where they grew up, know the same circle of friends their whole life. Unless they need or want you for something now, they tend to stick to their own, repeat the meme that they’re “Tolerant and honest, not rude and dismissive”. ..they do not live the life of a buitenlander. They live in their own bubble, and when their response is to exit the country if you’re not feeling welcomed…well, that says enough there. Right?

    For the “if you don’t like it, leave”-camp, have you ever thought about moving to the US? There’s a large, red section that think just like you. They’ll even give you a hat ($29,95, made in china).

    Tolerance doesn’t live in this voice. Singular identity, a hallmark of fascism, does.

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