Home Blog Page 683

39 percent of the Dutch population will have a migration background by 2060

Ailish Lalor
-
1
39 percent of the Dutch population will have a migration background by 2060

The CBS has released figures that show that the number of people with a migration background living in the Netherlands is set to increase to 7.6 million people by 2060. This is excellent news for the economy, but not so much when it comes to the housing crisis.

Currently, there are 4.2 million people living in the Netherlands with a migration background, and 13.2 million people with a Dutch background. These proportions are set to change by 2060 as a result of economic migration.

Refugees only make up 5 percent of the projected population increase

Although the popular perception is that population change is taking place as a result of refugees, that is actually far from true. According to the CBS, only 5 percent of the immigration that the Netherlands will experience between 2019 and 2059 will be as a result of refugees arriving in the country.

Lots of vacancies for educated workers and university students

Instead, international students will play a large role. Between 2017 and 2019 the level of migration to the Netherlands was higher than expected, and students played a huge role in that. The CBS expects that to continue, because there are lots of vacancies for highly-educated people. They expect these to be mainly filled by people from Poland, South America and the Middle East.

Economic migration leads to family migration

One of the things the CBS emphasised was that it is impossible to class all migrants to the Netherlands in one group: they vary widely. There are people moving here to work in the agricultural sector, but also to work in the tech companies springing up in Eindhoven and Amstelveen. And according to Tanja Traag, a researcher at the CBS, this also means that family migration increases: people who move here for economic reasons will also (eventually) bring their family with them.

Fewer migrants from Poland and Romania

The CBS also predicts that there will be a decrease in people coming to the Netherlands from Poland and Romania, as the economies of these countries are becoming stronger and wages are rising. This presents a problem for a lot of Dutch companies who usually rely on these countries to provide a lot of their workers. They will need to look elsewhere in the future.

“Our social system has been made quite migration-proof”

Leo Lucassen, professor of labour and migration history at Leiden University, emphasised in an interview with RTL Nieuws that a lot of the concerns that Dutch people have about increased immigration are unfounded, particularly when it comes to the idea that immigrants are coming here to take advantage of the welfare state. “Our social system has been made quite migration-proof. You do not just receive benefits, you have to work for it first. This applies not only to all Dutch people, but also to migrants from within and outside the EU.”

Housing crisis will get worse

The housing crisis is likely to get worse in the Netherlands as the population grows. Currently, the CBS predicts that there will be 157,000 fewer homes than required for the population by 2030.

Ageing population will benefit from immigration

But, in general, increased immigration will have a really positive effect on the Netherlands, particularly as the population ages. Between 2019 and 2060 the number of those over 80 years of age will double. According to Traag, “the migration ensures that the problems surrounding ageing are taken care of.”

What do you think about immigration levels in the Netherlands? Let us know in the comments below. 

Feature image: Fauxels/Pexels

Netherlands fails on gender equality: down to spot 38 in the world

Kavana Desai
-
2
Netherlands fails on gender equality: down to spot 38 in the world

The Netherlands is ranked 38 by the World Economic Forum (WEF) for gender inequality. This is 11 places lower than the year before, showing us that inequality between men and women in the Netherlands has increased, reports NOS. 

They surveyed 153 countries around the world looking only at equality. 101 of these 153 countries have made major strides towards eliminating the gap between men and women. In the Netherlands, 73.6% of this inequality gap is been “closed this year”, much lower than the last year which was 74.7%. However, only 68.6% of the gap worldwide as been closed. They estimate that it would take another 100 years before we see true gender equality in the world.

Why does the Netherlands rank so low?

The Global Gender Gap Index places Scandinavian countries at the top: Iceland is first, Norway in second place, Finland in third and Sweden in fourth. Uruguay (37), Rwanda (9). Costa Rica (13) all beat the Netherlands.

According to NOS, this huge gap between men and women exists because of the “difference in political influence”. Also, women do spend more time on unpaid labour and “care duties”. We also know that the pay gap is increasing where women earn 6.4% less than men for the same job they do. So how progressive is the Netherlands really?

Do you agree that things can improve when it comes to gender inequality in the Netherlands? Let us know in the comments below!

Feature Image: Werner Heiber/Pixabay

BREAKING: The Netherlands’ most wanted criminal, Ridouan Taghi, arrested in Dubai

Freya Sawbridge
-
0
BREAKING: The Netherlands’ most wanted criminal, Ridouan Taghi, arrested in Dubai

In September, Lawyer Derk Wiersum was tragically shot dead at Amsterdam Zuid. The shooter fled the scene and Dutch police have been on the search ever since. But earlier today, Ridouan Taghi was apprehended and arrested in Dubai for the murder.  

Arrest in Dubai

The Dutch Police worked closely alongside Dubai Police with scrupulous international cooperation to successfully catch the fugitive. Taghi was on national and international investigation lists and a 100,000 reward was offered to anyone who came forward with valuable information.

A team of 100 investigators and specialists from the National Police Unit were assigned to the case. Police Chief of the National Unit, Jannine van den Berg, says the arrest is a testament to their hard work and cooperation “In today’s world, building strategic cooperation is more important than ever and it is precisely through close international cooperation that it is possible to act effectively and decisively.”

Erik Akerboom, Chief of Police in the Netherlands, expressed his gratitude to the Police in Dubai for working so tirelessly. He says “The arrest of Taghi is of great importance for the Netherlands. With their criminal activities, Taghi and his henchmen pose a threat to the rule of law. It is very important for us as a police to protect the rule of law and to remove threats”, Police Netherlands report.

Image: Peter Dowley/Wikimedia 

Hands up: only 50 percent of Dutchies wash their hands after using the toilet

Ailish Lalor
-
4
Hands up: only 50 percent of Dutchies wash their hands after using the toilet

The Dutch are the least hygienic country in Europe, a survey by GallUp has revealed. Only 50 percent of Dutchies surveyed washed their hands each time, automatically with soap and water after using the toilet.

Obviously, washing your hands after using the toilet (and before eating) helps to prevent disease and keep a population healthy. Particularly for diseases that affect the intestinal system, handwashing can reduce transmission by up to fifty percent. Although these types of diseases do not affect the Netherlands as much as other countries, clean hands are always a bonus – especially at wintertime when there are plenty of illnesses going around. Especially in this season, where the coronavirus is spreading through the world and Europe, it’s high time that Dutchies washed their hands.

Meme by DutchReview made with makeameme.org

Dutch mothers teach their children not to pee on their hands

But in the Netherlands, hand washing does not seem to be a big part of the toilet-going culture. Some Dutchies we asked actually thought it was good that most Dutch people did not wash their hands after going to the toilet: “Dutch mothers teach their children to not pee on their hands,” Joe said. But as another DutchReviewer, Carlos said, pee is far from the only problem and even if you’re able to pee standing up, one would hope you wash your hands afterwards.

Not washing your hands is very common

Some expats confirmed the prevalence of non-hand washing in their workplaces. Andra said for example: “I work in a building where a couple of smaller companies are sharing a bathroom. Every day I see women who either don’t wash their hands at all after using the toilet or keep their hands under the water for 3 seconds (without any soap) and call that a proper wash. It’s sad, shocking and disguising.” It was a common theme: Fiona said “I was in the Magna Plaza in Amsterdam there was a very big queue to use the toilet and while I was waiting I was shocked that hardly anyone washed their hands!”

Lack of soap in bathrooms

But there is more to the story than that: some expats’ colleagues did actually wash their hands after using the bathroom. And Berk and Suzanne remarked that there was a real lack of soap in Dutch bathrooms as well.

Here’s a map of Europe showing how often do people wash their hands. Sure, the map is a bit off because Kosovo is to the East of Romania (where Moldova should be), and there’s also no Belgium. So take this map with a pinch of salt.

What do you think- do the Dutch wash their hands enough? Let us know in the comments below.

Feature image: Burst/Pexels. 

ALL ATMs will be closed between 11pm and 7am from tonight onwards

Ailish Lalor
-
1
ALL ATMs will be closed between 11pm and 7am from tonight onwards

All ATMs in the Netherlands will be closed between 11pm and 7am in the Netherlands from tonight onwards. The decision has been taken to reduce the amount of heists.

Recently ABN AMRO had to close a lot of their ATM machines in Amsterdam following a series of break-ins. Now, it seems that other providers also need to deal with the problem. It must be said that very few people have withdrawn money between 11pm and 7am for non-sketchy reasons, but shift workers and early risers will probably need to make a few changes to their routines.

The decision was taken after conversations between the Dutch Vereniging van Banken (NVB), Grapperhaus, the minister for justice, and Hoekstra, the minister for finance. According to their statistics, only two percent of ATM withdrawals take place between these hours, so the inconvenience for some is worth the extra safety the measure will provide.

Banks will also be placing ATMs in less densely populated areas in order to reduce the risk to residents: many of the recent heists took place below or near to apartments, which made their inhabitants feel unsafe, naturally enough.

What do you think of this new rule? Will it inconvenience you? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.

Feature image: Peggy_Marco/Pixabay

Dutch handball team crowned world champions with a last minute goal

Freya Sawbridge
-
0
Dutch handball team crowned world champions with a last minute goal

The Dutch handball team have been crowned the world champions with a last minute 30-29 win against Spain. The dramatic win secures them a spot at the 2020 Olympics held in Tokyo. 

The dramatic last-minute win

Abbingh secured the win when shooting her seventh goal in the last few seconds of the game. The elated Abbingh rejoices “I really did not think at all. I just grabbed the ball and did what I am good at. Now I am remembered as the one who brought the world title to the Netherlands with a goal in the final seconds. Even better than the other way around” NOS reports. 

Team mate, Tess Webster, praised Abbingh for her spectacular goal “Last year she did it at the European Championship against Spain in the last seconds and now again. I have so much respect for her.”

Estavana Polman, who was crowned player of the tournament, emphasised how hard her and her team battled for the win “We have fought so hard for this title and have always believed in each other. And now you have that golden slice. Wow, not normal. Very fierce. I have to let it sink.”

Many of the other players expressed their disbelief at their win but are thrilled to be heading to the Olympics.

Did you watch the game? Are you excited to watch them in the Olympics? Let us know in the comments below 

Image: Arvedui89/Wikipedia 

Fundamentalist farmer compares farmers to Jews during Holocaust

Ailish Lalor
-
0
Fundamentalist farmer compares farmers to Jews during Holocaust

The leader of the Farmers’ Defence Force, Mark van den Oever, has compared the position of farmers in the Netherlands to Jewish people during the Second World War. Who knew that complying with legislation designed to improve the nature of the Netherlands could be so oppressive?

The leader of D66, Rob Jetten, called upon Mark Rutte, the Dutch Prime Minister to condemn van den Oever’s remarks. Rutte will be breakfasting with farmers this morning. Jetten made it clear that he believes in the farmers’ right to protest and is glad Rutte and Agricultural Minister Carola Schouten are meeting with them, but said “the comparison between the position of farmers now and the situation of Jews in the 1930s and during the Holocaust is, I think, horribly poorly chosen. Completely inappropriate. We must live the memory of the terrible suffering suffered by Jews in World War II and we do not do this with this type of inappropriate comparison.” He hopes Rutte and Schouten will address these remarks this morning at the breakfast and as Van den Oever to rescind them.

Van den Oever refuses to apologise or take back remarks

Van den Oever’s original remarks were as follows: “75 years ago we also saw what the decimation of a small population leads to. Today, a disgrace in history. I want to hold this mirror up to you so that you don’t say afterwards “wir haben es nicht gewusst”.” He was then asked by a reporter if he was comparing farmers to Holocaust victims, and said in response “it looks a bit like it”. Shortly after making the statement, Van den Oever refused to take back his remarks or apologise in any way. “Even now there is a small population that is systematically driven into a corner and driven out of its country. Big words are sometimes needed.” Big words were what Van den Oever received in response to his statement, with other farmers’ organisations distancing themselves from the Farmers’ Defence Force. The director of Kamp Vught, another farmer’s organisation, Jeroen van den Eijnde, said “This statement testifies to zero percent sense, zero percent historical awareness and zero percent empathy. How stupid can you be? This clearly does no good to the farmer’s business.”

Farmers protests in the Netherlands

There have been regular protests by the farmers in the Netherlands in response to regulations which would have them close farms and buy new equipment to stop the damage from the nitrogen crisis.

Should Rutte have met with these farmers this morning? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.

Feature image: Cekay/Wikimedia Commons

There is basically no chance of a white Christmas this year in the Netherlands

Ailish Lalor
-
1
There is basically no chance of a white Christmas this year in the Netherlands

Christmas is now only nine days away, and inevitably that means we’re getting a better idea of the kind of weather we can expect when Santa comes to town. This year, alas, there is almost no chance of a white Christmas.

Weather experts are predicting similar weather to today at Christmastime: warmish, or at least above six degrees, with rain and wind and occasional clear spells. Hardly what you’d call festive. But then, climate change is not festive either. That is what Philippe Schambergen from Buienradar says could be behind the lack of snow this year. As temperatures rise, the number of potential snow days (days when it is cold enough for snow to fall) drops, of course. Currently that’s 21 per year, but by 2050 that could be as low as 4 days a year.

Although global temperature rises play a role, the Netherlands has never had much luck when it comes to snow on Christmas. There have only been eight white Christmases since measurements began in De Bilt in 1901. The last took place in 2010, which was a historical anomaly: it was the first time ever that snow fell at Christmastime two years in a row in the Netherlands.

Will we ever see a white Christmas again? Let us know what you think in the comments below!

Feature image: Larisa-K/Pixabay. 

Celebrating the Dutch holiday season with toddlers

Gagan Deep Katodia
-
0
Celebrating the Dutch holiday season with toddlers

The holiday season is definitely the most pleasant time of the year but it can become overwhelming when you have a toddler. In the Netherlands, holiday traditions bring huge opportunities to put a smile on your children’s faces.

Christmas traditions are divided into parts: Sinterklaas, special celebrations on first and second Christmas Day (that’s right, there’s two!), plus Christmas holidays and New Year’s Eve.

Sinterklaas with a toddler

Mark the dates in your calendar for next year: Sinterklaas celebrations begin on the first Saturday after November 11, several weeks before the culmination of Pakjesavond on December 5. All the cities celebrate the arrival of Sinterklaas and his assistant Black Pete (Zwarte Piet) in the form of a parade, while children party on the streets.

Children who live in the Netherlands leave their shoes at night filled with carrots, hay and sugar. They believe that Sinterklaas and Zwarte Piet will come and take horse treats and leave amazing presents for them. This is the time when Dutch parents give gifts to their children.

December 25 & 26, Eerste & Tweede Kerstdag with a toddler

Referred as first and second day of Christmas, Eerste and Tweede Kerstdag is often a time for family (and traditionally for Church services). There are special family gatherings, with special breakfast and several courses of dinner. This is when family presents are exchanged!

In Dutch Happy/Merry Christmas can be said as ‘Prettige Kerst‘ (Happy Christmas), ‘Zalig Kerstfeest‘ (Merry Christmas) or ‘Vrolijk Kerstfeest‘ (Cheerful Christmas).

Christmas Days are not of course just a time to sit and eat. To entertain your toddler you can also add variations like doing a craft activity, playing Christmas special games, baking and cooking new dishes, watching Christmas movies and listening to Christmas songs.

Dutch Christmas food

It is essentially a hot plate or grill in the middle of a table surrounded by all sort of meat, seafood and vegetables. Each and every person sitting in the room can prepare their meal according to his or her own preferences. Other special popular dishes in the Dutch holiday season are:

  • Speculaas, spiced cinnamon and ginger cookies
  • Kerstkrans, a wreath shaped pastry, filled with glace fruits and almond paste
  • Banktstaaf, a type of sweet Dutch pastry filled with almond paste
  • Kerstkransjes, Christmas ‘wreath cookies’ are used to decorate the Christmas tree.
  • Jan Hagel cookies, flaky Christmas cookies with cinnamon, almond flakes and candied sugar.
  • Kerststol, a fruity Dutch Christmas loaf and,
  • Oliebollen, fried balls of batter

Dutch Holiday Season Songs

Singing or playing Christmas songs is also very traditional during the holiday season. Here are a few Dutch songs you can sing along with your toddler at home!

Christmas Crafts with toddlers:

Yearly Crafty Ritual

Make a Christmas scrapbook and take your Child’s handprint every year.

Decorate your house

You can take this to the next level by making it eco-friendly Christmas. And creating homemade decorations for the Christmas tree and every corner of the house

Donations

Make a bag and add all your child’s old clothes and toys he is not using anymore. Spread Kindness and make someone else’s Christmas special!

December 27 to 31, Christmas Holidays with a toddler

These days are perfect to get out of the house and see the best the Netherlands has to offer! Some suggestions:

Window shopping

Go for window-shopping, streets are beautifully decorated let your kid enjoy this Christmas vibe from his stroller.

Visit a museum

Children love to explore new things visit the Children Museum for fun learning. Holland has a lot of amazing museums like Linnaeushof.

Head to an indoor playground

Let them play take them to the indoor playgrounds for amazing playtime at places like Monkey Town.

Head to a kinderboerderij

Show your kids the real animals at your nearest petting zoo. They usually have fun events on these holidays!

Spend time with family

It’s time to visit family and friends and make your kids bond stronger with people who care for them.

Go Christmas light spotting

Drive around to look at the lights. You will be impressed by how much work some of your neighbours put into their decorations. Plus, you can get inspiration so you can make your own place look even better next Christmas.

Check out an outdoor skating rink

If your toddler has some balance you can head to one of many outdoor ice-skating rinks in the Netherlands! Prop up your little one with a stabiliser, and send them gliding across the ice!

ice-skating-netherlands-winter
If you’re lucky, you may get a natural ice-skating rink to take your toddler on! Image: Robbert Esser/Unsplash

New Year’s Eve with a toddler

Let’s not forget the end of year bash, its party time! In the Netherlands, lighting your own fireworks is one of the best activities – you’ll hear them going off everywhere!

Eating oliebollen (oily balls) at midnight is one of the most widespread New Year’s Eve traditions in the Netherlands. Meanwhile, hundreds of parties will take place on the streets and in clubs.

When toddlers are around it’s best to host your own house party. But, everyone has his or her own way to celebrate this night. Many people like to book a restaurant with a view of a nearby fireworks display.

Christmas with toddler: New Years Day Dip

The Nieuwjaarsduik is very famous among swimmers of Netherlands; they begin their new year by running straight into icy cold water. Even if you’re not brave enough to make the splash yourself, you can enjoy the party atmosphere at the beach with your toddler and watch everyone else turn blue.

It’s an old shared fact that the things children remember most about their childhood are activities rather than toys. When they grow up they won’t remember expensive gifts rather they will remember the whole experience.

Let’s educate our children to associate the holiday season as family bonding time. Remember children learn faster from their first-hand experiences. Set up your family’s holiday traditions in a way that they fall in love with them and so they follow those throughout their lives.

Prettige Kerstdagen en een gelukkin Nieuwjaar!
(Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!)

What are your family holiday season traditions? Have you done any on the lists above? Let us know your favourite way to celebrate the Dutch holiday season with toddlers in the comments below!

Feature Image: freestocks.org/Pexels

Firework bomb thrown at van with seven police officers inside

Freya Sawbridge
-
0
Firework bomb thrown at van with seven police officers inside

The Hague Police have released a video showing a group of young people throwing a firework bomb under a moving police van. The incident occurred on December 3 and badly damaged the vehicle. The police are still looking for the perpetrators. 

What happened exactly?

A group of young people ran onto Pluvierstraat at around 10 pm and threw a firework bomb at the moving vehicle. At the time of the incident, seven officers were inside the van.

The event was caught on camera by a police helicopter. In the video, you can see the projectile rolling towards the van followed by two large explosions.

Thankfully, the police officers inside the van avoided injury, although a number reported issues with their ears. The van has been seriously damaged.

No suspects have been arrested for this incident at this time, but the investigation is still ongoing.

Stop violence against police

Police chief Paul van Musscher emphasised how dangerous incidents like this are, but said that unfortunately his colleagues have become used to it. “In the run-up to New Year’s, we see fireworks thrown at police officers. But throwing such a firework bomb at officers crosses a line,” he explained.

“This could have seriously injured several police officers or worse. People who are committed to safety in our society, who are doing nothing but their jobs.”

He urged people to stop their reckless behaviour before it gets out of hand. “Consider what can happen if, for example, your son has this type of firework under his bed and it goes wrong. What if these fireworks go off prematurely in a group of people? The consequences cannot be ignored.”

The police ask anyone with information to please come forward and report it.

Do you have information that can assist the police in the investigation? Call the Investigation Hotline on 0800-6070. If you prefer to share your information anonymously, call Meld Misdaad Anoniem on 0800-7000.

1...682683684...733Page 683 of 733