Population grows again only through migration, but that figure is also declining

Between January and September, the Dutch population grew by 62,000, a decrease from 78,000 the previous year. The total population reached 18.19 million. Since 2022, population growth has been declining, primarily due to fewer births than deaths, with growth relying solely on migration. Migration numbers also fell slightly, with 66,000 new residents, 15,000 less than in the same period last year. Syrians remain the largest immigrant group, although their numbers decreased from over 21,000 to nearly 14,000. Asylum applications rose by 8% overall, but specific groups like Syrians and Eritreans saw declines. Family reunifications also dropped significantly, with 3,200 arriving this quarter, primarily from Syria. EU immigration remained stable at 79,000, with fewer EU migrants leaving the country.