The 2024 State of Migration report has revealed that despite a global increase in migration, the Netherlands received a lower number of immigrants in 2023 compared to 2022. The figures sent by the outgoing cabinet to the House of Representatives show that 332.863 people moved to the Netherlands last year - 17 percent less than the previous year. 

Increase in asylum seekers in 2023

With over 38.000 first requests for asylum submitted in 2023 - 8 percent more than the year before - the decrease in immigration was slightly offset by an increase in refugees. Last year, the Netherlands received 110.000 refugees from Ukraine, which is 19.000 more than in 2022. 

According to figures by Statistics Netherlands (CBS), in the first quarter of 2024 there were fewer asylum requests with only 9.000 first-time applications, 31 percent less than during the same period last year. The coalition government has proposed stricter measures for migration and integration that could affect these numbers further; they want to scrap the asylum distribution law and limit family reunification for refugees, among other things. 

Negative attitude towards migration in the Netherlands

The Netherlands has become less attractive to expats and businesses for various reasons, one of the main ones being the negative attitude towards migration. The majority of internationals come to the Netherlands for work, studies or love. 

However, plans to cut the 30 percent tax ruling and limit the number of English-language courses in Dutch universities means that rates of migration will likely decrease further in the future. A reduction in the number of highly skilled migrants is a possibility and could damage the Dutch economy. 

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