Number of internationals moving to Netherlands drops for second year in a row

Is the golden era over?

For two years straight, fewer people have packed their bags and moved to the Netherlands.

Around 316,000 newcomers arrived in 2024, 19,000 less than the year before. The Dutch charm is still strong — but apparently not that strong.

What’s behind the dip?

According to Statistics Netherlands, the drop is mostly thanks to fewer knowledge migrants (highly skilled workers) moving to Holland, especially from countries like India, Russia, Turkey, South Africa, and China.

The number of knowledge migrants has dropped by a dramatic 40% since 2022. According to the stats, most folks came for love or a payslip: 22% for family, and 21% for work.

In fact, half of those who moved for family reasons were chasing romance, probably after falling for a Dutchie abroad (we get it). 💘

Another 12% came for studies, and 10% arrived seeking asylum.

READ MORE | It’s official: Expats in Amsterdam will have to take an integration course

Of those who came for family, 40% were following a worker, 5% followed a student, and 7% were reuniting with someone who had arrived as an asylum seeker.

Moved here for love? A job? Or just for the stroopwafels and bad weather? Let us know in the comments!

Feature image:Depositphotos

Accuracy, clarity, and a touch of humour — that’s DutchReview. Read our editorial mission.

Emanuela Occhipinti
Emanuela Occhipinti
Emanuela traded pasta for passport stamps, wandering her way across the globe. With a Master’s in East Asian Studies she has a passion for Japanese literature. She decided to settle in the Netherlands to fully enjoy flower culture. When she’s not writing (rare, but it does happen), she’s on a mission to find the perfect skincare product and will gladly corner you for a passionate TED Talk on why sunscreen reapplication is the most important thing.

1 COMMENT

  1. Netherlands government should do something, instead of bringing refuses from Islamic country, being best talented knowledge migrant from India, China.

    They will make your country smart, look at USA it’s so ahead because of talented migrant from India and China.

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