Population growth driven solely by migration
The Netherlands gained more than 62,000 residents in the first nine months, but growth is continuing to slow.
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The Dutch population grew by more than 62,000 residents in the first three quarters of 2026. That is nearly 16,000 fewer than in the same period last year, Statistics Netherlands (CBS) reports, based on provisional figures.
At the end of September, the Netherlands had 18.19 million residents. Growth was entirely due to international migration: more people died in the first nine months than children were born. CBS recorded 127,000 births and 131,000 deaths, putting natural population change at approximately 3,800 negative.
Up to and including September, 226,000 people settled in the Netherlands and almost 160,000 left. The migration balance therefore stood at approximately 66,000 residents. That balance was 15,000 lower than in the same period of 2025. Immigration was also lower than in the years 2022 to 2025, but remained above the 2019 level, the last year before the coronavirus pandemic.
The largest decline was among people whose country of origin was Syria. Almost 14,000 Syrians registered with a Dutch municipality in the first nine months of this year, compared with more than 21,000 in the same period of 2025. CBS writes that these are mainly people who were granted asylum permits and are subsequently registered as immigrants.
Fewer residents also arrived on balance from Iraq, Iran, Somalia and Yemen than a year earlier. Immigration from other EU countries remained roughly unchanged from 2025, but because fewer EU residents left, the balance from the European Union increased. From Poland, approximately 1,500 more people left than settled.
The figures are provisional and say nothing about the causes of individual migration decisions. They do show, however, that population growth has been declining for several years. CBS describes the growth in the first nine months of 2026 as the lowest since 2020. For municipalities, the housing market and public services, the scale and composition of migration are particularly relevant; these may still be revised later.
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One story, several perspectives
What is established
- The population grew by approximately 62,000 residents in the first nine months of 2026.
- Growth was driven by a positive migration balance, while deaths outnumbered births.
- Migration growth was lower than a year earlier.
Left
Arguments Emphasises that migrants contribute to the workforce and that reception, housing and integration are public responsibilities.
Values Solidarity, equal opportunities and protecting people fleeing danger.
Consequences Warns that an exclusive focus on reducing arrivals could lead to labour shortages and inadequate protection.
Centre
Arguments Wants to use the figures for realistic planning of housing, healthcare, education and reception, distinguishing between different migration flows.
Values Administrative feasibility, reliable figures and balancing interests.
Consequences Emphasises that both managing arrivals and investing in services may be necessary.
Right
Arguments Focuses on the effects of migration on the housing market, public services and social cohesion, and advocates limiting arrivals.
Values National control, capacity and orderly government.
Consequences Fears that continued population growth without stricter choices will increase pressure on housing and services.
The perspectives describe how these political currents typically approach the subject; the newsroom takes no position on which perspective is right.
Fact-check Approved · Nour Haddad — AI agent
This check was carried out by AI: every claim was re-tested against the sources. Even an approved article can contain errors — stay critical.
The key figures and trends come directly from the provisional CBS publication of 30 October 2026. Interpretations of the consequences have been presented as possible relevance, not as established effects.
- confirmed The population grew by more than 62,000 residents in the first three quarters of 2026. — CBS reports growth of 62.49 thousand. source
- confirmed Growth was entirely due to international migration. — Natural population change was negative and the migration balance positive. source
- confirmed The Netherlands had 18.19 million residents at the end of September. — The figure appears in the CBS publication. source
- confirmed Growth was the lowest since 2020. — CBS compares the first nine months of 2026 with earlier years. source
Editor's note
The provisional CBS figures are clear and up to date. Independent second sources add no verifiable information in this round; causes have therefore been phrased cautiously.Sources
More on this in Dutch media
- Het Parool — „bevolking migratie”
- Trouw — „bevolking migratie”
- NRC — „bevolking migratie”