Most Dutch concerned about tensions in society

Eight in ten Dutch think that there are high tensions between different population groups in Dutch society, such as between people of different religions or between people with and without an immigration background, according to figures Statistics Netherlands released on Wednesday. Less than half experience these tensions in their own lives.

About two thirds of Dutch believed in 2016 that a lot of tension exists between people with and without an immigration background or between religious groups. Fewer people saw tensions based on other things. Four in ten saw tensions between rich and poor, about a quarter saw tensions between people with a low education and highly educated people and two in ten saw tensions between young and old.

While 82 percent of Dutch are concerned about perceived tensions between different social groups, only 46 percent experience such tensions in their own lives. Of those who said they see tension between people with and without an immigration background, a quarter experienced these tensions themselves. For people who saw tension between different religions, 22 percent experienced it and for the other tensions between 10 and 15 percent.

Women, young people and people with mid-level education in particular see tensions in society. They also more often experience it in their own lives. People without an immigration background are more likely to see tensions in society, but those with a non-Western background are more likely to experience it. 32 percent of respondents that live in cities see tension in society, compared to 20 percent in non-urban areas.