Due to the corona crisis, the population of the Netherlands is growing less rapidly this year than in recent years, but growth will continue unabated in the coming years. According to Statistics Netherlands, about 18 million people will live in the Netherlands in six years’ time. In 2063, the Netherlands will have 20 million inhabitants.
This is evident from forecasts of the Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS). This year it is expected that around 63,000 inhabitants will be added in the Netherlands. That is a halving of the population growth last year, when 126,000 people were added.
More deaths
The population grew less rapidly this year due to the corona crisis. During the first wave, an extraordinary number of people died from the effects of the corona virus. In addition, migration decreased, mainly due to the many travel restrictions.
Yet in the autumn it was already visible that migration was increasing again and, according to statisticians, this growth will continue in the coming years. The advent of a vaccine and lifted travel restrictions will increase migration. Although there is also a side note, the researchers say: “Rising unemployment is expected to limit the increase in labor migration in 2021”.
Better treatment methods
The number of deaths from the coronavirus is also likely to decrease next year. This is due to better treatment methods and vaccination. Check out how that vaccination should work next year:
Get put off
Statistics Netherlands does take into account that more people are temporarily dying because care has been postponed due to the outbreak of the corona virus. “On the other hand, however, there are relatively many vulnerable people among the corona deaths who might otherwise have died in the short term from another disease,” say the researchers.
Although this is a forecast and not a precise forecast, Statistics Netherlands expects the Netherlands to have around 18 million people in 2026. In 2038 there should be about 19 million and in 2063 the Netherlands will have about 20 million inhabitants.
Migration background
The population will initially increase because the life expectancy of the Dutch will increase in the coming years. In 2040, a quarter of the population will be 65 or older. In addition, the population is increasing due to migration. In 2070, Statistics Netherlands expects 42 percent of Dutch people to have a migration background. Now that is about 25 percent.
