Foreign Population in the Netherlands: 2.23 Million (2023)
Non-Dutch Residents in the Netherlands (CBS Data)
As of **January 1, 2023**, the Netherlands had **2,228,678 non-Dutch residents**—approximately **13% of the total population** (17.8 million).
Breakdown by Origin (Top 10)
| Country of Origin | Population | % of Foreign-Born |
|---|
| Poland | ~230,000 | 10.3% |
| Turkey | ~210,000 | 9.4% |
| Germany | ~140,000 | 6.3% |
| Syria | ~130,000 | 5.8% |
| India | ~110,000 | 4.9% |
| United Kingdom | ~95,000 | 4.3% |
| Morocco | ~90,000 | 4.0% |
| Indonesia | ~85,000 | 3.8% |
| Belgium | ~80,000 | 3.6% |
| Romania | ~75,000 | 3.4% |
Categories of Foreign Residents
- EU/EEA/Swiss citizens: ~800,000 (freedom of movement)
- Non-EU highly skilled migrants: ~150,000 (knowledge migrant visa)
- Asylum/protection: ~120,000 (Syria, Eritrea, Afghanistan, Somalia)
- Family reunification: ~200,000
- Students: ~90,000 (non-EU)
- Post-colonial (Indonesia, Suriname, Antilles): Historical ties
Trends (2013–2023)
- Foreign-born share: 10% → 13%
- Polish: Largest growth (EU accession 2004 + labor demand)
- Syrian: Rapid growth post-2015
- Indian: Tech sector growth (ASML, Booking.com, Philips, startups)
- UK: Post-Brexit shift (some left; others naturalized)
Integration & Policy
- Inburgering (civic integration): Mandatory for non-EU long-term residents
- Naturalization: ~35,000/year; 5-year residence, language, civic exam
- Labor market: High participation; sectoral concentration (healthcare, tech, logistics, agriculture)
Source: CBS (Statistics Netherlands) StatLine, Bevolking; herkomstgroepering. Data excludes undocumented/irregular residents.
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