Why are Dutch people leaving the Netherlands?

A record 150,000 people are set to leave the Netherlands in 2015, according to Jan Latten, who heads the social demographics department at the national statistics office CBS.

Unrest, too little space and bad attitudes are the main reason Dutch people considering emigration are leaving the Netherlands to live abroad, according to a study done by the Emigration Fair.

The Emigration Fair is taking place on February 13th and 14th in Expo Houten in Utrecht. 11 thousand people who bought tickets were asked about their reason for departure.

Most, 24 per cent are looking for more space, tranquility and a natural environment in which to raise their kids. Only slightly less, 23 percent gave bad attitudes in the Netherlands as reasons. 16 percent are leaving for a job and another 16 percent are leaving to enjoy their retirement.

The refugee crisis is a good reason to leave for 13 percent of respondents. Crime and traffic jams play a smaller role with 5 percent and 3 percent respectively.

About 3 percent of the total Dutch population is considering emigration. About 148 thousand people leave the Netherlands each year, a 41 percent increase compared to 10 years ago. 

Belgium, Germany and Spain have always been popular with Dutch émigrés, Scandinavia is also growing in popularity, Latten said.

Over the past 20 years, 2.2 million Dutch nationals moved abroad, and around half of them eventually returned home.

‘This could be because they no longer have a job, they are homesick, have health issues or grandchildren,’ Latten said. Given that some 200,000 immigrants and refugees are expected in the Netherlands 2015, the population will grow by around 50,000 in 2015, the Telegraaf said.

This means the population of the Netherlands could top 17 million in 2016.