The Netherlands' refugee and asylum trends for 2024 reveal significant shifts, with varying patterns impacting different nationalities. According to the Centraal Bureau voor de Statistiek (CBS), Syrian nationals continue to dominate asylum applications, totaling 11.5 thousand requests this year.
Interestingly, this figure marks the first decrease for Syrian applications after five consecutive years of increases, as 2024's numbers fell by 12% compared to 2023. This downturn raises questions about the reasons behind the retreat, particularly considering the persistent conflict within the region and the displacement of many Syrians.
Following the Syrians were applicants from Iraq, Türkiye, and Eritrea, with 2.2 thousand and 1.9 thousand applications, respectively. While Syrians saw applications decline, the number of asylum requests from Iraqis has increased over the years, especially highlighted by growing numbers reported this year. The CBS noted, "The decline was particularly notable in the second half of the year," hinting at possible changing dynamics impacting migration routes.
Contrasting with previous years, the fourth quarter of 2024 saw the Netherlands receive only 7.2 thousand asylum applications—almost 11% fewer than the preceding quarter. More significantly, this reflects a stark decrease of 44% when compared to the same quarter last year, where applications peaked approximately at 12.9 thousand.
Employment patterns among Ukrainian refugees also present notable trends. By November 2024, nearly 60% of Ukrainian refugees had found employment, primarily due to their unique work status exempting them from needing permits. This represented an increase from 55% employment seen the previous year, with the most notable employment rates recorded among those aged 25 to 45 years old, where 63% were employed.
Many of these employed refugees work under flexible contracts; approximately 38% are temporary workers through agencies, and another 24% are employed on-call. A significant factor lies within the business services sector—accounting for 50% of jobs held by Ukrainian refugees—while 32% were engaged within trade, transport, and hospitality sectors. For many, job security appears to be improving, with the stability of permanent contracts rising from 5% to 9% within the same timeframe.
Alongside employment, family reunification has also seen movement, with 11.9 thousand family members arriving to join refugees already granted asylum within the Netherlands. This figure is up by 1.8 thousand from 2023, largely attributable to increased reunifications from Syrian refugees—growing from 6.7 thousand to 8.7 thousand.
By comparison, the family reunifications from Türkiye declined significantly, down 59% by this year, prompting concern about the challenges faced by families seeking to unite. This suggests significant changes not only within the asylum-seeking population but also concerning those who have already settled and their family connections.
Despite the narrative of declining asylum requests, the right-wing Dutch cabinet remains focused on implementing stringent measures for the refugee regime, pledging to install "the strictest refugee regime ever" set to deter incoming applications and tighten existing pathways for asylum seekers. These legislative changes, which are currently under consideration by the Council of State, aim to reshape how the Netherlands engages with refugee statuses and the asylum processes, affecting the homes and lives of countless individuals seeking safety and stability.
Overall, the trends observed throughout 2024 demonstrate the complex and shifting nature of refugee and asylum dynamics within the Netherlands. Whether through employment changes for Ukrainian refugees, the decrease of asylum applications from Syria, or forthcoming legislative changes, the data indicates a pivotal moment for many striving for normalcy amid adversity.