Netherlands sees sharp increase in young homeless people

The number of young homeless people in the Netherlands increased significantly this year, according to figures Statistics Netherlands published on Friday. In 2016 an estimated 12,400 people between 18 and 30 years were homeless, compared to 8,300 in 2015.

The total number of homeless people in the Netherlands remained stable at an estimated 31 thousand in 2016. Between 2009 and 2015 the number increased significantly from 17,500 to 31 thousand.

The number of older homeless people in the Netherlands decreased. On January 1st of this year there were over 13 thousand homeless people between the ages 30 and 50 years, compared to 16,400 in 2015. In 2015 that age group made up more than half of the homeless population, this year they accounted for 43 percent. The proportion of homeless people between the ages of 50 and 65 years decreased from almost 21 percent to less than 17 percent over the past decade.

The proportion homeless people in the Netherlands with a non-western background also increased in recent years. In 2009 about 36 percent of the homeless in the country had a non-western background. In 2016 almost half were of a non-western background. Of the non-western homeless people, almost half are between the ages of 18 and 30 years old.