The Central Bureau of Statistics revealed that there are 14,000 more people unemployed in the third quarter this year, as compared to the second quarter, reports RTL Nieuws. Ironically, there was also an increase in job vacancies in the third quarter: there were 4000 more vacancies.
Many in long-term unemployment are older than 45
Although unemployment is increased for the first in the last five and a half years, there is a decrease in the number of people in “long-term unemployment”. They are said to be so if they have been looking for a job for a year or longer, Right now, there are 82,000 people in long-term employment. That’s 28,000 fewer people than in the second quarter.
Most people in long-term employment seem to be over the age of 45-years-old. Age discrimination is very common in the Netherlands, so it’s not that surprising. According to director Petra van de Goorbergh of OVAL, organization for career companies, says, “Firstly, there is the negative image that still exists among employers. Older employees would be less productive and flexible,” she says in conversation with RTL Z, reports RTL Nieuws. But she also says that once they find a job and start working, their employers are always increasingly happy about it.
High unemployment and a high number of vacancies
But what about the rest? According to RTL Nieuws, 319,000 people have been registered as unemployed in the third quarter.
However, employers also seem to be having a tough time finding people to fill in their vacancies in the last three months. The vacancies “grew particularly in trade, transport, and the hotel and catering industry”. However, there was a decrease in work in temp agencies.
Are you unemployed in the Netherlands? Did you know you can get unemployment benefits? It is great the government has you covered while you go through this difficult phase in your life.
What do you think of this? Let us know in the comments below!
Prime Minister Mark Rutte has said that he was impressed by his meeting with farmers and agricultural delegates today at the Catshuis in The Hague. The Minister for Agriculture was also present.
Most of the farmers said that they had a good conversation with the Prime Minister, but that concrete measures to tackle the nitrogen crisis and their role in it were still lacking. This morning Rutte also unveiled measures to bring construction work back on line, as it was halted a couple of weeks ago due to new regulations intended to combat the nitrogen crisis. However, given the housing shortage in the Netherlands, this was not an ideal consequence.
In order for this to be possible, farmers will have to feed their animals new food, so that their dung doesn’t release as much ammonia. The farmers don’t really have a problem with this, but they fear more sever measures being introduced. There have been talks of reducing the amount of livestock in the Netherlands significantly. They are afraid their profession will disappear.
According to Rutte, the government is committed to ensuring that farmers who want to continue farming can. Minister Schouten emphasised that there would be compensation for those who want to call it a day, though.
What are your thoughts on the government’s solution? Let us know in the comments below.
Need to know which Christmas markets, festivals and other amazing holiday events are happening in the Netherlands in 2019? We’ve trawled the events calendars and come up with the best things happening in Holland for Christmas 2019.
The amount of time and energy Dutch people spend on the feast of Sinterklaas might make you think that they don’t really celebrate Christmas in the Netherlands. And while for most Dutchies Sinterklaas is more of a big deal and that’s when most presents are given, they do still like Christmas. In fact, there are A LOT of Christmassy activities which happen in the Netherlands every year and they are just as exciting and magical as the ones in Germany!
So instead of going to Germany this year to sip mulled wine and wander around traditional stalls in the snow, why not check out some of these amazing Christmas markets, festivals and events in the Netherlands?
Welcome to DutchReview’s epic guide to Christmas events in the Netherlands 2019. This list is sorted alphabetically, so scroll down to find your nearest city or town!
Christmas Events in the Netherlands 2019: Amsterdam
If you’re spending Christmas in the capital, lucky! There are tons of Christmas events happening in the city of Amsterdam. Now the only question is: which ones will you choose?
The Dam
Every year in December a huge Christmas tree is set up in the Dam Square in front of the Royal Palace. Along with the pretty lights throughout the city, this is a great spot for some festive photos before you head to…
Museumplein
With the Rijksmuseum as a ridiculously stunning backdrop, Museumplein is transformed every winter to a big ice-rink, with an Ice Village Christmas Market surrounding the skating area. There are booths for buying gifts as well as mulled wine and, of course, oliebollen!
When: November 16, 2019 – February 2, 2020
Leidseplein
Another ice rink is set up on the Leidseplein, also surrounded by stalls selling food, drinks and gifts. There are also restaurants around the edges of the Leidseplein, so definitely a good spot to go ice-skating in order to work up an appetite!
Flower Market
Amsterdam’s famous floating flower market also gets into the festive spirit by selling lots of Christmas trees alongside the usual tulips. Make sure you also check out the gorgeous Christmas Palace; a shop selling beautiful Christmas decorations all year long!
Christmas Circus
Adding to all the festive craziness is the fact that Amsterdam hosts a special Christmas circus every year as well! The internationally renowned World Christmas Circus features only the best acts and runs in Amsterdam’s Royal Theatre Carré from the 20th of December – 6th January 2019.
When: December 19, 2019 – January 5, 2020
Amsterdam Light Festival
During the Christmas season the Amsterdam Light Festival is also held. Illuminated artworks and installations are dotted around the canals of the city from the 29th November – 20th January. You can go on self-guided walking tours through the city at night to spot them, or a very romantic Light Festival canal cruise!
For something a little less traditional, but ten times more historical, the Archeon archaeological living museum near Leiden holds a special Midwinter Fair. It’s a great place to find alternative Christmas presents for the people in your life who like steampunk, fantasy and medieval items.
The Midwinter Fair features music and shows (such as sword-fighting!) as well as an indoor Fantasy Market. While not exactly a Christmas themed event there are definitely Christmassy aspects to the Midwinter Fair, and it might be a good event for you if you’re feeling a bit over all the Christmas events but still want to be entertained and have some yummy food and drink!
When: December 7 – 8, 2019
Christmas events in the Netherlands: Deventer
A very Dickens Christmas in the Netherlands. Image: Ronald Rugenbrink/ Flickr
This is one of the most loved Christmas events in the Netherlands! Every year the historic Bergkwartier of Deventer is transformed for two days into a real-life scene from a Charles Dickens novel.
Everywhere you can see traditional 19th century Christmas decorations and more than 950 characters from Dickens’ novels are brought to life around you. From wealthy lords and ladies to pickpockets, you will feel like you have stepped into the events of “A Christmas Carol” or “Oliver Twist”.
Combine this with a market on the square, traditional carolers and the scents of roasted chestnuts and you can’t fail to feel festive!
If you’re in Dordrecht you can visit one of the largest Christmas markets in the country. Dordrecht Christmas market features hundreds of stalls, multiple stages for live music performances, a Christmas circus on one street, Christmas theatre in the Grote Kerk garden and a living nativity scene in the garden as well!
There are so many different things to see and do over the three days that you will definitely need to check out the program if you are thinking of going.
When: December 13 – 15, 2019
Christmas events in the Netherlands: Efteling
There’s nothing more magical than Efteling during Christmas in the Netherlands. Image: Marco Derksen/Flickr
The Netherland’s answer to Disneyland, Efteling is a magical place all year round; but during winter they like to kick it up a notch. There’s an indoor skating rink, a cross-country skiing track for children, bonfires, mulled wine and hot chocolate. They even do special accommodation packages if you’d like to stay in one of their fairy-tale themed rooms over Christmas with unlimited access to the park and a Christmas feast!
Christmas events in the Netherlands: Gouda
Gouda by Candlelight
In the medieval town of Gouda a special day is held every year when the historic city center is closed to traffic and music is played, walks are set out, a living nativity scene is present and there is street theatre and dance.
There are free concerts in the churches and when it gets dark, instead of the city lights being turned on only candles are lit. The mayor reads a Christmas story, the lights on the huge Christmas tree in front of the town hall are lit and then everyone sings along to Christmas songs.
When: December 13, 2019
Is that Christmas tree taller than the church? Hello Gouda! Source: Ruben Holthuijsen/Flickr
With over 300 stands the traditional Christmas market in Haarlem is another magical place for you to find special handmade gifts or simply enjoy the sights, sounds, food and drinks! There is a Dickens orchestra in the centre, multiple free choirs in the local churches and even a Christmas ballet in the Bavokerk.
For something a bit different you can also take part in the Haarlem Winter Beer Festival and taste different speciality beers from the Netherlands and abroad!
What’s more magical than a Christmas market? A Christmas market at a CASTLE! Slot Assumburg in Heemskerk (North Holland) hosts a Christmas market in and around the castle itself, with live music and fireworks shows taking place as well.
The fair opens on Thursday 29th of November and then runs until Sunday 2nd of December. You can check out the program of events and ticket prices on their website.
When: 28 November – 1 December, 2019
Christmas events in the Netherlands: Het Loo Palace
We could live here, but Christmas will have to do. Image: Gerard Gebruiker/Wikimedia
Christmas in Palace Het Loo
If you want to feel a bit more royal while you celebrate the season make sure you visit Het Loo Palace during its Christmas event; where the beautiful rooms are decked out with Victorian Christmas trees and decorations formerly belonging to the previous Queen Wilhelmina and Prince Hendrick.
The palace is also decorated with plants from the palace’s orangerie greenhouses and the tables are bedecked with damask, crystal, silver candelabras and fruit. On the palace grounds there is also an ice rink for skating, and in the Coach Houses you can see carriages, sleds and cars used by the Oranjes.
Another Christmas market but the one in Leiden has the distinction of being the country’s only floating Christmas market. Featuring cosy chalets with gifts to be bought and, of course, tasty treats to be eaten, this is definitely a unique experience.
There’s also a floating ice rink, a special children’s Christmas area on the square in front of the Hooglandse Kerk (where they can meet Santa), a nostalgic funfair and a light parade – that’s the full package!
Christmas events in the Netherlands: Maastricht
Come for the Christmas gifts, stay for the mulled wine. Image: Kleon3/Wikimedia
Magical Maastricht
The whole town of Maastricht goes into Christmas overload between the 1st December and the 1st of January; with skating rinks, a market, decorations, a ferris wheel, a ‘House of Santas Claus’, and a culture festival featuring music, dancing and theatre.
There’s also a light route you can follow to see the best of the Christmas lights and the culture festival features many different performances throughout the month all over the city. Check out the website for all the details on this very magical event!
When: November 29 – December 31, 2019
Christmas events in the Netherlands: The Hague
The Christmas Fair at the Lange Voorhout. Image: Kevin Coellner/Supplied
Royal Christmas Fair
If you’re in The Hague then you’re in for a treat with the Royal Christmas Fair to add a touch of extra class to Christmas. For a week-and-a-half, the centre of The Hague is transformed into a beautiful Christmas fair featuring a market, gorgeous decorations, cultural events and, of course, Santa.
The Netherlands’ very own ‘Christmas Town‘, Valkenburg near Maastricht, is host to many Christmas events. There are three different Christmas caves, underground Christmas markets surrounded by murals, sculptures, and an 18th Century Chapel.
The town also has a Christmas parade on Wednesday and Saturday nights and there is also a fairytale forest, Santa’s village and Santa’s gift factory for kids. Definitely a little town packed with Christmas fun!
When: November 15, 2019 – January 5, 2019
Christmas events in the Netherlands: Zwolle: Dutch Ice Sculpture Festival
And finally for Christmas events in the Netherlands, if you want to feast your eyes on some amazing ice sculptures then the Dutch Ice Sculpture Festival is the largest in Europe!
This year’s theme is ‘Journey Through Time’ which means you will get to see incredible ice sculptures inspired by dinosaurs, mammoths, the industrial revolution, the Golden Age, and the first man on Mars.
When: December 14 – March 1, 2019
There you have it, more Christmas festivals and events than any one person could ever hope to see in a month and all within the little country of the Netherlands! If you visit any of these Christmas markets, events or festivals make sure you tag us on Instagram with @DutchReview and follow us! 😉
If you’ve ever paid attention to Leiden’s skyline from the train, you’ve probably seen Naturalis. I certainly had, though I hadn’t realised quite what it was. Housed in a beautiful new building that has been open to the public since 31 August 2019, Naturalis is home to all 42 million pieces of the Naturalis collection and over 100 researchers.
While you’re in Leiden visiting this fabulous museum, there’s no harm in checking out what else Leiden has to offer. That’s where Stad van Ontdekkingen comes in: anything you need to know about Leiden is right there in front of you.
There are eight different galleries in the museum, which chart life’s course from inception to death. You’ll pass from Life into the Ice Age, and from there perhaps to the Dinosaurs, Early Humans or Live Science. We decided to give you a sneak peak into five of these galleries in today’s article, as well as giving you an overview of what you can expect from this amazing museum based in Leiden.
Naturalis: A new (rather fabulous) home for the museum
Now, as I think is obvious from the photos we’ve accompanied this article with, the building Naturalis is located in is totally gorgeous and very impressive. This is actually Naturalis’s new building, which has only been open to the public since 31 August 2019. Inside, there’s a beautiful mix of oak-coloured wood, marble, specially made white concrete sculpted into patterns that resemble the cells in plants, and a red stone filled with tiny, sparkling crystals from Iran. The whole feeling of the building is airy, accessible, and welcoming. School children were visiting when we were there, and they seemed so at home in the building.
The new building of Naturalis is absolutely stunning. Image: Abuzer van Leeuwen.
The exhibits are focused on being very accessible and interesting to all ages: in the Life gallery, you can touch four of the taxidermy animals; in the Seduction gallery, there are a bunch of interactive games that would work for anyone, child or not. You can really see that the museum is built to educate and enthuse anyone who visits it about natural sciences.
Just look at this place! Image: Abuzer van Leeuwen.
Life: from under the sea to the king of the jungle
You enter the Life gallery from under the sea. Image: Ailish Lalor
We start with Life, which you enter from under the sea, and slowly make your way to the surface. There, you’re greeted by an immense mountain of animals, which you slowly ascend to the tune of rain storms, animal noises and birdsong. You’ll see an elephant, tigers, lions, tiny shrews, tortoises, moles, frogs, buffalo… It’s a truly awe-inspiring sight that really makes you consider humanity’s place among all these beautiful animals. What I particularly loved was the way the animals were mixed together. In a lot of natural history museums, the animals are put in similar groups, which can make things feel a bit sterile. At Naturalis, you see shrews alongside an elephant. Not only does that give you an amazing sense of the diversity of the animal kingdom, it also makes the whole exhibit feel friendly and accessible.
You really got a good feeling for the sheer size of the animals. Image: Abuzer van Leeuwen.
Another wonderful aspect of the Life gallery was the four animals that you could touch: a hedgehog, an aardvark, a mole, and a tortoise. Even as a so-called adult, getting to touch these once-living animals was an amazing feeling. The whole room was incredibly atmospheric. Hearing rain patter down and watching a thunderstorm take place on one of the many projector screens in the room made me want to stay hanging out with all the beasts all day.
Dinosaurs: step back in time
The dinosaurs are awe-inspiring. Image: Ailish Lalor
This gallery will please anyone who has ever wanted to hang out with the most awe-inspiring of prehistoric creatures. And we really do mean hang out: the whole idea of this exhibit is to bring the dinosaurs to life (luckily, not in the Jurassic Park sense). With the help of incredible animations and eerily realistic sounds, it really does feel like you’ve travelled back in time.
We loved seeing the dinosaur skeletons. Image: Abuzer van Leeuwen.
The star of the exhibit is, of course, Trix, the resident Tyrannosaurus rex. She was around thirty years old when she died- which seems to have been old for T. rex standards, as Trix is one of the oldest found in the world. She lived a tough life- you can see she had broken ribs at one point from her skeleton, the exhibit explains. There are also lots of other dinosaur skeletons- a Triceratops, long-necked leaf eaters, flying dinosaurs and an awesome Stegosaurus will thrill you as you wander through the gallery.
Seduction: life, love and reproduction
The Seduction gallery is set up like a department store at Naturalis. Image: Ailish Lalor
This is probably my favourite of the galleries we visited when we came to Naturalis. Set up as a department store (perhaps the most seductive of all attractions) it’s an absolute treasure trove of reproductive organs, cute baby animals, and perhaps the best part of the entire museum, a circular lampshade adorned with crocheted sperm. There is an interactive game in which you can race two sperm to the egg by bouncing an exercise ball up and down; a telephone through which you can hear animal noises and then their interpretation in English (or Dutch), and the opportunity to go on a blind date to see if you’re as decisive as animals are about who’s hot and who’s not.
Death: the end of life- or not?
Be prepared to be utterly enthralled by this gallery: it’s beautiful, mysterious and an ineffable combination of sad and uplifting. The message that the gallery tries to get across- and does so very well- is that there can be no life without death. The two are deeply connected. The room is set up as a labyrinth, with semi-transparent black walls. You can watch an incredible animation of the circle of life (the projector screen is also circular, which just adds to the effect). One of the first things you see upon entering this section is a taxidermy gorilla facing a gorilla skeleton. This really sets the scene for the entire gallery, which is all about confronting death in a non-threatening, non-depressing way. I found it really refreshing and just plain fascinating.
Live Science: making science accessible to the public
Check out Dutch animals in Naturalis (I am not part of the permanent exhibit). Image: Abuzer van Leeuwen/Supplied.
This particular part of the museum is open to the public for free. Its aim is to showcase the scientific research Naturalis is doing. You can wander through and check out the taxidermy Dutch species- we found the collection of Dutch native birds particularly nice. There are also working scientists present: we watched one dismember a bird to prepare it for the taxidermy process, which was totally fascinating (though perhaps not for the squeamish). Then we headed upstairs and saw the Dino Lab in action: a scientist there showed us some dinosaur bones that they were in the process of separating from each other and then identifying. It was amazing to see this work being done right before your eyes. There is also an extensive collection of reference books for anyone to consult. I loved the effort to make some of the museum accessible to people who might not be able to afford the ticket price.
Want to see more of Leiden?
If this article has inspired you to want to see more of Leiden, then we have the place for you to go! Leiden’s tourism office, Stad van Ontdekkingen, can help you find out about everything from museums to shopping in Leiden. If you want more museums in the this cute city, then check out our favourite museums in Leiden.
Have you been to Naturalis yet? What’s your favourite animal? Let us know in the comments below.
It’s no surprise to any of us who are familiar with Rotterdam’s stunning skyline, or the general atmosphere of creativity that the city has: but now it’s been scientifically proven. Rotterdam is one of the most innovative cities in the world. And even more excitingly, its level of innovation is growing each year.
Last year, Rotterdam was ranked as the 111th most innovative city in the world: but this year it has jumped the queue massively, coming in at a very respectable 83rd place. That’s a 28-place jump! We’re far from surprised, given all the uniqueness Rotterdam has to offer. It also has the best non-native English speakers in the world, and has recently announced its plan to switch to green energy by 2020. Amsterdam, as the leader of the Dutch cities in this ranking, has actually dropped twelve places within a year, going from 18th place in 2018 to 30th in 2019. Oof!
How are cities ranked for innovation?
So how does the source of these figures, a research agency called 2thinknow, decide which cities are innovative, and which are not? Well, it comes down to a whopping 162 factors, so you can’t say they aren’t taking complexity into account. Among these factors are the number of start ups in a city, and their success rates; the speed of internet connections; the policies of local governments; as well as the infrastructure of a city. Furthermore, the question of whether the city is attractive to young, highly educated people is also taken into account.
Which is the most innovative city in the world?
You might be curious about which other cities across the world did well. Some of the answers are predictable: New York came first, Tokyo second, London third. Toronto in Canada comes 10th, Melbourne in Australia comes 11th. You can see the rest of the cities of the world listed on the Innovation Cities Index 2019, if you’re curious about your hometown, or picking a new place to live (which we understand, given the current Dutch weather).
Did you know that Rotterdam was this innovative? And what’s going on with Amsterdam? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
Are you looking forward to Friday? Have you been looking forward to the end of the workweek already? If you live in Limburg, there might be a small treat in store for you on Friday: the first snowfall will be coating your windows, reports Buienradar. However, the rest of the Netherlands will have to be happy with plain ol’ rain.
But is it the good kind? Maybe not. Marc de Jong from Buienradar says to RTL Nieuws that it will be the wet kind of snow. He said, “Limburg is higher, so it is slightly cooler there. And they have the least influence of seawater there.”
If there will be heavy snowfall in the early hours of the morning, then the snowflakes might even stick around for a while. But it may not be cold enough for it to remain snow.
So be careful of those puddles of water that may be everywhere!
What about the rest of the Netherlands?
Well, we may not be so fortunate. RTL Nieuws says that we shouldn’t expect any snow in the rest of the country. But expect it to be cold nonetheless! We are approaching winter after all.
So when Sinterklaas comes to Apeldoorn on Saturday, we may not see any snow. But will it rain? They’re not so sure themselves. “In the north of the country it will be wet, but not in the south. Apeldoorn is on the border so we dare not yet say if it will rain,” says De Jong. “It is at least cold and damp.”
Do you really love snowfall in the Netherlands? Which is the best picture of a snow-covered Netherlands you took? Tag @dutchreview on Instagram so that we can see too!
ProRail and NS are looking to jump onto the nitrogen crisis bandwagon: they say the government should invest 20.6 billion euros into the railways as it would be the perfect solution to bring the nitrogen crisis under control, reports AD based on a proposal they have.
Making people take public transport
They don’t want all of this money pumped into one mega project, but different ones around the country up until 2040. As train journeys are a lot more sustainable than car journeys, Hans van Leeuwan, a member of ProRail’s board, says that public transport must be made more attractive.
However, there was no comment on how the NS has scrapped the evening rush hour discount for a number of loyal commuters who had an NS Voordeeluren season ticket. According to RTL Nieuws, they spoke of how many more trains they’ll have and how to make commutes faster. However, RTL Nieuws or AD did not mention if they would be introducing new discounts, reducing the price, and so on.
Where do they want this money invested?
But will we be complaining about faster commutes and better accessibility for some parts of rural Netherlands? Probably not.
They want more trains between Amsterdam and Eindhoven; expansion of travel hubs like Amersfoort, Nijmegen, and Leiden; shortening of the commute from Leeuwarden and Groningen to Randstad through the Hanze line; and faster train journeys to the west from selected stations.
With these changes, a lot more people can get around the country faster and can choose to live outside of the Randstad. However, they should seriously consider reducing the ticket prices and introducing attractive discounts so that travellers will actually be persuaded to make the switch.
The Dutch government has announced a plan to reduce speed limits on highways to 100 kilometres per hour during the daytime in an effort to curb nitrogen emissions.
If the inner-speed demon in you is swearing, take a chill pill. You’ll still be able to drive at speeds up to 130 kilometres per hour between 7 pm and 6 am.
The plan is the latest and most important in an effort to curb nitrogen emissions, sources told NOS. By reducing emissions the government can move forward with its plan to build around 75,000 homes next year.
This would remove some pressure from the housing crisis plaguing the Randstad, with recent construction projects stalling or failing due to the nitrogen emissions.
What other plans have been announced?
After weeks of farmers protests, an agreement has been reached to implement enzyme-rich cattle feed so cows reduce their methane output by emitting less ammonia.
In the meantime, a plan to buy old, polluting cars has been scrapped, with sources concluding that the cost of the scheme would outweigh the benefits.
According to Prime Minister Mark Rutte, more plans to curb environmental impacts are in the works today and are expected to be announced tomorrow.
What do you think about the lowering of speed limits on highways? Is it a big enough step to curb the environmental crisis? Let us know in the comments below!
A Dutch man has been arrested after threatening to blow himself up. His cause? Protecting the Zwarte Piet tradition. It’s just the latest in the latest in the debate that continues to divide the Netherlands.
That’s right. The man literally threatened to commit terrorism to save the right to wear blackface in the holiday season. There are two sides to every debate for sure, but once bombs start coming into it the party’s over.
At least that’s what the police thought. After receiving multiple reports from concerned citizens about the Facebook post they began an investigation. The threat was determined to be serious enough to arrest the 49-year-old suspect, according to RTL Nieuws.
An empty threat
A search of the man’s home turned up no evidence of explosives. But, despite the inflammatory threat, the man said he was shocked by the reactions and regretted the post. He’ll face magistrates court on Thursday.
Now the police are warning supporters and opponents of Zwarte Piet that they shouldn’t go too far with their opinions.
“As long as no criminal border is exceeded, everyone can give their opinion. The reaction of this suspect which created a threat that innocent people could die exceeded that limit,” a police spokesperson said.
Earlier this week five people were arrested for attempted assault and arson against a meet-up for a group that is against Zwarte Piet. Last month it was announced that Zwarte Piet wouldn’t be present for Sinterklaas’s arrival in Apeldoorn in November.
When does defence or support of Zwarte Piet go too far? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
The total number of people diagnosed with HIV has been declining drastically in the last few years. The Netherlands is far ahead as compared to other countries for achieving the United Nations’ goal to eradicate HIV by 2030, reports NU.nl.
HIV is the virus that causes the body to have an infection. In Stage 3 HIV where the virus has caused severe harm to the body’s immune system, the person is said to have AIDS or acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. Despite having access to good healthcare, at least 20 people die every year. NU.nl says that it’s mostly because they don’t even know that they’ve been infected. However, this number too is falling.
Living with HIV in the Netherlands
According to the HIV Monitoring Foundation, there are currently about 23,300 people living with HIV in the Netherlands. The majority of this group are in treatment, and many of whom have suppressed the virus. So their life expectancy is good and it is getting harder for the virus to spread between individuals.
