Population growth in the Netherlands now entirely due to migration

The population of the Netherlands grew again in the first quarter of 2025, according to new figures from Statistics Netherlands (CBS). With deaths still outpacing births, migration remains the sole driver of population growth. 

Deaths continue to outnumber births in the Netherlands

18,07 million people now call the Netherlands home, according to a CBS report published last week. That is 21.000 people more than in the last quarter of 2024, and population growth remained steady compared to the first quarter of 2024. 

The figures show that population growth in the Netherlands is now entirely down to immigration. As in 2024, in the first quarter of 2025, deaths outnumbered births by almost 10.000, meaning that without migration the population would have decreased. 

More people migrated to the Netherlands in early 2025

This negative birth rate was offset by migration figures. Immigration to the Netherlands in the first quarter of 2025 was higher than in the same period last year. In the first three months of 2025, 79.000 people moved to the Netherlands, up from 75.000 people in 2024. 

Over the same period, 49.000 people left the Netherlands, resulting in net migration of 30.600 people, higher than 2024’s 27.100. 

Among the people newly registering in the Netherlands in January, February and March 2025, Syrians were the best-represented, making up 11% of all new arrivals. Other strongly-represented nationalities included Ukrainians, Iraqis, Somalians, Eritreans and Ethiopians.