Dutch municipalities warn of “lost generation” among Ukrainian youth

Nearly half of Dutch municipalities report serious concerns about the mental well-being of Ukrainian youth living in the Netherlands, according to a survey by RTL Nieuws.

Of the 134 municipalities surveyed, 46 percent said Ukrainian youths are struggling, and one-third of those reported a worsening situation over the past year. Eindhoven officials told RTL Nieuws: “Possible war trauma, a lack of privacy in reception facilities, and the absence of a future perspective—because there is no end in sight to the conflict—together put increasing pressure on mental health.”

Currently, 127,280 Ukrainian displaced persons live in the Netherlands, mostly in municipal reception centers under the RTB, which grants temporary access to housing, education, healthcare, and work.

Heerlen noted that young people struggle with whether to return to Ukraine or build a future in the Netherlands. Zwolle warned that this group risks becoming a “lost generation.”

Maarten Dekker of the Loket Ontheemden Oekraïne Psychosociale Hulp (LOOP), a government-supported organization assisting municipalities, told RTL that 12- to 25-year-olds face rising problems, including substance abuse, suicidal thoughts, depression, and exploitation. He added that many mothers are overworked and emotionally drained while raising children alone in a foreign country.

Uncertainty over their future is a major stressor. Oisterwijk officials said, “The war continues, and the future for Ukrainian youth remains unclear. The Temporary Protection Directive (RTB) is extended annually, leaving this group with recurring uncertainty about shelter and possible relocation.”

According to RTL, experts emphasize the need for more Ukrainian-speaking care professionals to provide culturally aware mental health support.