The Netherlands is experiencing an unprecedented housing shortage at the moment, and the population continues to grow as a result of aging, migration and individualisation. As a result, households in the Netherlands are likely to grow to 2 million by 2050. (Source: Statistics Netherlands and Nidi)
An extensive report by Statistics Netherlands and Nidi described 7 scenarios, of which only one has a small population decline of 300,000. This can only occur when migration to the Netherlands stops completely, the birth rate falls and life expectancy deteriorates.
In the worst-case scenario, the population will grow to 21.8 million by 2050.
90% of this is due to migration to the Netherlands and an aging population, which means that the number of households is growing strongly.
Nearly 10 million households
It is assumed that the Netherlands will have some 9.1 million households by 2050, which is 1.1 million more than the Netherlands currently has. It is clear that the population will grow in the coming period, according to the report. Two factors play a major role here: migration and aging.
We have experienced a large migration flow in recent years. This will probably increase even further in the coming years and will place extra pressure on the number of households. Migrant workers often form a one-person household. Life expectancy in the Netherlands is also high, causing an aging population. Many elderly people in the Netherlands are living alone, vital elderly people. In the event of population growth, the number of over-70s will grow by a modest 1.4 million by 2050. In this case, today’s housing shortage of 1 million additional homes will not be enough to provide housing for the elderly. Not to mention the migration increase.
So the big question is how the government will solve this. A major housing shortage on top of the current housing shortage will be one of the greatest challenges the Netherlands has ever faced.
Read the extensive analysis here (Vastgoedmarkt.nl)