Quick facts
Netherlands population overview
The Netherlands is the 10th most populous of 50 countries and territories in Europe. The United Nations put the population at 18,402,521 on 1 January 2026; with an annual growth rate of +0.5% the live estimate on this page rises by roughly 257 people per day.
Over a full year that means about 174,824 births (9.5 per 1,000 people) and 171,143 deaths (9.3 per 1,000), plus net immigration of roughly 88,332 people. The infant mortality rate is 2.9 per 1,000 live births.
World Bank data show the population grew from 11,486,631 in 1960 to 18,087,633 in 2025 — a change of +57.5%, or +0.7% per year on average. The population is at its all-time high today.
Demographically, the median age is 41.5 years; life expectancy at birth is 82.6 years; women have on average 1.4 children (2024, below the 2.1 replacement level); 14.9% of residents are under 15 and 20.9% are 65 or older (2025); 95.9% of people live in urban areas (2025).
The capital is Amsterdam. The Netherlands covers 41,540 km², giving a population density of about 445 people per km². GDP was $1.33T in 2025 — about $73,684 per person (World Bank classification: high income).
Netherlands population statistics (2026)
| Population (live, October 2026) | 18,477,366 |
|---|---|
| UN estimate, 1 Jan 2026 | 18,402,521 |
| World rank | #71 of 238 |
| Rank in Europe | #10 of 50 |
| Share of world population | 0.2% |
| Annual growth rate | +0.5% |
| Births per year est. | 174,824 |
| Deaths per year est. | 171,143 |
| Net migration per year est. | +88,332 |
| Birth rate | 9.5 per 1,000 |
| Death rate | 9.3 per 1,000 |
| Infant mortality | 2.9 per 1,000 births |
| Sex ratio | 98.8 males per 100 females |
| Median age | 41.5 years |
| Life expectancy | 82.6 years |
| Fertility rate 2024 | 1.4 births per woman |
| Urban population 2025 | 95.9% |
| Surface area 2023 | 41,540 km² |
| Population density | 445 per km² |
| Capital | Amsterdam |
| GDP (current US$) 2025 | $1.33T |
| GDP per capita 2025 | $73,684 |
| Income group World Bank | High income |
Netherlands population by year
| Year | Population | Change | Annual growth |
|---|---|---|---|
| October 2026 (live, UN-based) | 18,477,366 | – | – |
| 2025 | 18,087,633 | +94,148 | +0.5% |
| 2024 | 17,993,485 | +116,368 | +0.7% |
| 2023 | 17,877,117 | +176,135 | +1% |
| 2022 | 17,700,982 | +167,938 | +1% |
| 2021 | 17,533,044 | +91,544 | +0.5% |
| 2020 | 17,441,500 | +501,577 | +0.6% |
| 2015 | 16,939,923 | +324,529 | +0.4% |
| 2010 | 16,615,394 | +295,526 | +0.4% |
| 2005 | 16,319,868 | +394,355 | +0.5% |
| 2000 | 15,925,513 | +466,507 | +0.6% |
| 1995 | 15,459,006 | +507,496 | +0.7% |
| 1990 | 14,951,510 | +459,878 | +0.6% |
| 1985 | 14,491,632 | +341,832 | +0.5% |
| 1980 | 14,149,800 | +483,465 | +0.7% |
| 1975 | 13,666,335 | +627,809 | +0.9% |
| 1970 | 13,038,526 | +743,794 | +1.2% |
| 1965 | 12,294,732 | +808,101 | +1.4% |
| 1960 | 11,486,631 | – | – |
Change and annual growth are measured against the previous row; growth is annualized where rows are five years apart. The live row extrapolates the UN estimate and is not directly comparable with the World Bank series.
About Netherlands
Population over time
- From 11,486,631 in 1960 to 18,477,366 today — up 60.9%.
- The population is at its all-time high right now.
- Average change over the last 10 years of data: +0.7% per year.
Life expectancy & fertility
- Life expectancy at birth: 82 years (2024), up 8.6 years since 1960.
- Fertility: 1.4 births per woman (2024) — below the ~2.1 replacement level.
Birth & death rates
- Latest: 9.2 births vs 9.6 deaths per 1,000 people (2024).
- Deaths outnumber births — natural decrease of 0.4 per 1,000 a year.
Age structure
- 14.9% of the population is under 15 and 20.9% is 65 or older (2025).
- The 65+ share has grown from 9% in 1960 — the population is aging.
CO₂ emissions
- Latest total: 118.8 Mt CO₂ (2024).
- Emissions peaked at 187.9 Mt in 1996 — down 36.8% since.
- Per person: 6.6 t in 2024, vs 10.29 t in 1970.
Energy use & renewables
- Energy use: 3,415.8 kg of oil equivalent per person (2024), down 23.9% since 1990.
- Renewables supplied 12.2% of final energy in 2021 (+11 points since 1990).
Forest area (% of land)
- Forest covers 11.1% of land area (2023).
- Net afforestation: cover grew from 10.2% to 11.1% since 1990 — roughly 344 km² of forest gained.
Urban population (% of total)
- 95.9% of people live in urban areas (2025), vs 59.9% in 1960 (+36 points).
- Majority-urban for the whole period covered.
Water resources & stress
- Water stress: high — freshwater withdrawals are 74.9% of renewable internal resources (2022, SDG 6.4.2-style bands).
- Renewable freshwater per person: 621 m³ in 2022, down 34.2% since 1961.
Economy
- GDP: $1.33T in 2025.
- Nominal GDP is up 71.8% since 2015.
- That works out to $73,684 per person.
Unemployment & inflation
- Unemployment: 3.9% of the labor force (2025, ILO estimate).
- Consumer-price inflation: 3.3% in 2025.
Internet & mobile
- 97% of people used the internet in 2024.
- Mobile subscriptions: 128.5 per 100 people (2024) — more subscriptions than people.
Netherlands in the news
Frequently asked questions
What is the population of the Netherlands in 2026?
As of October 2026, the Netherlands has an estimated population of 18,477,366. The United Nations estimated 18,402,521 residents on 1 January 2026; the live figure on this page extrapolates that estimate using the +0.5% annual growth rate.
Is the population of the Netherlands growing or shrinking?
It is growing at +0.5% per year — roughly 257 more people every day. Each year there are about 174,824 births and 171,143 deaths, with net migration of +88,332.
What is the population density of the Netherlands?
About 445 people per square kilometre: 18,477,366 people living on 41,540 km² of surface area (World Bank, 2023).
What is the median age in the Netherlands?
The median age is 41.5 years, and life expectancy at birth is 82.6 years. 14.9% of the population is under 15 and 20.9% is 65 or older (2025).
How does the Netherlands rank by population?
The Netherlands is the 71st most populous of 238 countries and territories worldwide and the 10th in Europe, with 0.2% of the global population.
How has the population of the Netherlands changed over time?
In 1960 the population was 11,486,631; by 2025 it had grown to 18,087,633 (+57.5%). The year-by-year table above lists the full World Bank series.
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RomaniaSources & method: the live population is a linear extrapolation of the UN World Population Prospects estimate for 1 January 2026 using the annual growth rate (+0.5%); births, deaths and migration counters apply the UN crude rates to the live figure. Historical series, area, GDP and other indicators are from World Bank Open Data; the encyclopedic summary is from Wikipedia. Figures are statistical estimates, not census counts. Page generated 2026-10-19. More about our data.