100 years ago, Amsterdam was a unique mix of old and new. In addition to horses and handcarts, trams and cars were seen in the streets, and Schiphol took its first steps as an airport. How did people live then? Where did they work? And where did they go on vacation? Lets go back to Amsterdam in 1925.
Research and Statistics (O&S) has been collecting various statistics about Amsterdam since 1895. We want to share some remarkable numbers and trends from exactly 100 years ago. But we start with 3 beautiful photos that show the city had two faces back then.
Population and Housing
Amsterdam now has 932,000 residents and 480,000 homes. On average, about 2 people live in a home, and half of Amsterdammers live alone. In 1925, Amsterdam had 712,222 residents in 169,500 homes. This means that about 4 people lived in a house, twice as many. Furthermore, the built area was much smaller. This is clearly visible on a map from 1925.
Mortality
In 1925, 6,497 people died: 3,150 men and 3,347 women. Tuberculosis, cancer, and influenza were major causes of death. In recent years, around 6,000 people have died per year, primarily from heart and vascular diseases, and cancer. Tuberculosis is now very rare in Amsterdam.
Work
100 years ago, diamond processing was large, employing over 10,000 people. About 6,000 worked in printing. Over 400 men and women worked in womens corset factories, and a slightly smaller number made mens hats and caps.
In machine factories, the staff numbered about 5,000. There were around 3,000 hawkers, 5,000 merchants, and about 12,000 sea and inland sailors. Over 3,500 people worked as loaders and unloaders. Strangely enough, 2,002 people had an unknown profession.
There were 8,213 civil servants in municipal service. The municipality still counted many businesses, such as gas and electricity companies. But the economy was made up of many concrete professions compared to our current knowledge economy, where many forms of business and creative services are significant.
Marriage
Marriage was still a dominant institution. In 1925, there were 278,404 married people in the city and only 494 divorces. Now there are about 1,250.
Alcohol
In 1925, 2,324 reports for public drunkenness were issued. The offenders were 2,189 men and 135 women. People drank heavily; there was no marijuana at that time.
Vacation
Most Amsterdammers stayed home during holidays; only the wealthy and true adventurers traveled abroad. The notion of a city trip by plane was yet to come.
The Future
According to the ancient Greeks, we look to the past and stand with our backs to the future. Therefore, the future always comes as a surprise. This was so in 1925. No one could foresee what would come next. In 1929, the Palace for the People’s Welfare burned down, symbolizing the disasters to come: the economic crisis, the occupation by Hitler, the murder of the Jews. And then the reconstruction, immigration, and incredible technology with laptops and smartphones. Just as then, in 2025, we are also blind to the future. What will happen will always remain a surprise for humanity and the city.
750 Amsterdam Stories
During the anniversary year, 750 stories will be collected. Big and small stories from the rich history of Amsterdam. These stories will appear on a special website. You can also subscribe to the storytelling newsletter. You will receive new stories in your mailbox every month. Go to amsterdam750.nl/verhalen.
Photos: Amsterdam City Archive