Netherlands: Indian Migrants Tend to Stay in the Country for Extended Periods

Indian Migrants in the Netherlands More Likely to Stay Long-Term

Key Insights:

1. Over 56% of Indian migrants who arrived in the Netherlands in 2019 have remained in the country.
2. Migration from India has been increasing since 2020, with over 9,000 Indian nationals moving to the Netherlands in 2024.
3. Family reunification was the primary reason for Indian migration, followed by employment.

Indian Migrants Tend to Stay Longer in the Netherlands

A significant number of Indian migrants choose to settle in the Netherlands for extended periods, with many continuing their residence even after four years.

According to Statistics Netherlands (CBS), more than 56% of Indian nationals who migrated to the country in 2019 were still living there four years later. In contrast, only 33% of Indian migrants who arrived in 2011 remained after the same period, highlighting an increasing trend of long-term stays.

Employment and Family Ties Drive Indian Migration

Indian migrants primarily move to the Netherlands for work and family-related reasons. In 2023, approximately 45% migrated for family reunification or to start a family, while 40% moved for employment opportunities. Another 15% arrived for educational purposes.

A decade earlier, in 2013, labor migration was the dominant reason, with 49% relocating for jobs compared to 37% for family-related reasons.

Indian Community Strongest in Amstelveen

Amstelveen remains the most popular municipality for Indian residents, with 6,000 Indian nationals per 1,000 inhabitants. Other key areas with high Indian populations include:

• Uithoorn (50 per 1,000 residents)
• Eindhoven (35 per 1,000 residents)
• Almere (31 per 1,000 residents)

Meanwhile, provinces such as Groningen, Friesland, Drenthe, Overijssel, Gelderland, Zeeland, and Limburg have significantly fewer Indian residents.

Surge in Indian Migration Since 2022

Before 2005, fewer than 1,000 Indian migrants arrived in the Netherlands annually. However, migration soared between 2005 and 2020, only slowing temporarily due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The highest migration rate was recorded in 2022, with a net migration of nearly 11,000. While migration declined in the following two years, the Indian population in the Netherlands still grew by 4,000 people in 2024, with:

• 9,392 arrivals
• 5,411 departures