In 2024, the number of people in poverty increased after five years of decline, with 551 thousand people living in poverty, representing 3.1% of the population.
In 2024, 551 thousand people were living in poverty. That is 3.1 percent of the population, more than in 2023 when 2.7 percent were in poverty. Poverty in the Netherlands declined for five consecutive years before increasing again. The share of poor children remained the same at 2.8 percent as in 2023. This is stated in the publication Living in Poverty 2025, produced by Statistics Netherlands (CBS) at the request of the Ministry of Social Affairs and Employment.
Children under 18 years
%
*preliminary figures
Because the energy allowance was discontinued, poverty increased in 2024, but the child-related budget for families was raised. The energy allowance helped reduce poverty in 2022 and 2023. In 2023, the minimum wage was increased and nearly 600 thousand households with low income received lower rent. In 2019 and 2020, poverty decreased partly due to wage increases and temporary corona support measures.
Income shortfall increased
In 2024, the median income of poor people was 19 percent below the poverty threshold. This means that half of the people in poverty lived more than 19 percent below the poverty line. In 2018, this was still 12 percent. The income shortfall increased in 2022 and 2023. Measures that improved purchasing power mainly helped people with benefits out of poverty, while relatively many working people remained behind. Poor workers, especially self-employed, generally have a larger income shortfall than people with benefits.
1.1 million people just above the poverty line
Besides 551 thousand poor people, there are 1.1 million near-poor: their household income was up to 25 percent above the poverty threshold and their savings and other assets below the poverty line. That is 6.4 percent of the population. In 2018, there were still over 1.5 million near-poor. The near-poor group shrank every year except in 2022. Then, due to the energy allowance, especially recipients of social assistance or other social provisions - who were poor in 2021 - just rose above the poverty line.
Of all children under 18 years, 245 thousand (7.5 percent) live in a near-poor family and 93 thousand (2.8 percent) in a poor family. This means that in a class of 30 children, on average 3 deal with poverty or near-poverty.
Near-poor
x 1,000
*preliminary figures
Quarter of (near-)poor have problematic debts
A quarter of people who are poor or near-poor live in households with problematic debts. These include debts to the Tax Authorities, payment arrears registered with the BKR, and arrears on health insurance premiums or traffic fines. Of the poor, 30 percent have problematic debts, of the near-poor 22 percent. In the rest of the population, this is 9 percent.
Most (near-)poor do not have enough money for an unexpected necessary expense of 1,500 euros or more. Also, replacing worn-out furniture, going on vacation for a week annually, and regularly buying new clothes are unaffordable for most. Nearly half of the (near-)poor have too little money to invite family or friends for a meal. Such financial constraints are much less common in the rest of the population.
Not poor and not near-poor
% of population
*preliminary figures
News & Coffee ☕
Openrijk runs on coffee, curiosity and your support.
