Tenants living in expensive Dutch cities less likely to have children

A new study has shown that the high costs of housing in the Netherlands are having an impact on whether residents start families. For example, women renting a house in an expensive region are less likely to have children than those in more affordable cities.

Rising house prices in the Netherlands add to declining birth rate 

Statistics Netherlands (CBS) and the Netherlands Interdisciplinary Demographic Institute (NIDI) found that between 2013 and 2023, women aged 16 to 45 were 10,4 percent less likely to have children if they lived in Dutch cities where house prices were 450.000 euros on average compared to areas where houses cost 200.000 euros. 

This was especially true among women who rent their homes. Tenants in more expensive areas were 8,4 percent less likely to have kids than those in cheaper areas. On the other hand, women who own their own property were 5,1 percent more likely to have a child in pricier areas.

This shows that not only are first-time buyers delaying life events due to the housing shortage, but the rising house prices are negatively affecting the Netherlands’ birth rate, where the country is already only seeing population growth due to migration. 

Leap from renting to buying Dutch homes becomes more difficult

As housing prices continue to rise, it is becoming increasingly difficult for people to find family-friendly homes. This makes it more difficult for tenants to make the move to becoming homeowners. 

The result is that many people do not feel able to have children and postpone having a family until they can buy a house, creating unequal opportunities among the population. This new research confirms the results of previous research, which revealed that women without a starting qualification, working under a flexible contract or earning a low income are having children less often.