How many families are at risk of poverty?
In 2019, 574 thousand households had an income below the low-income threshold. This is 7.7 percent of all households. In 2014, in the aftermath of the economic crisis, the percentage of households below the low-income threshold was 8.5 percent. Two years later, it had fallen to 7.9 percent and remained so until 2019.
Among the 574 thousand households with an income below the low-income threshold, 361 thousand were single persons (63 percent of these households), 71 thousand were single-parent families (12 percent), 73 thousand were couples with children (13 percent) and 63 thousand were couples without children (11 percent).
Low-income threshold
The low-income threshold represents a fixed purchasing power amount and is adjusted annually for price developments. In 2019, the threshold for a single person was 1,090 euros net per month. For a couple without children it was 1,530 euros, and for a couple with two children under 18 years old 2,080 euros. For a single-parent family with two children under 18 years old, the threshold was 1,660 euros.
The low-income threshold is not a strict poverty threshold but is a criterion that indicates whether or not a household has an increased risk of poverty. A household with an income below the low-income threshold is therefore referred to as a household ‘at risk of poverty’.
| Type huishouden | Households below the low-income threshold, 2019 |
|---|---|
| Single people | 361.2 |
| Single-parent families | 70.8 |
| Couples without children | 62.7 |
| Couples with children | 72.8 |
| Other households | 6.5 |
Increase in the number of households at long-term risk of poverty
Of the 574 thousand households with a low income, 237 thousand (3.4 percent of all households) had been living on a low income for at least four consecutive years. Unlike the share of households below the low-income threshold, the percentage of households living on a low income for an extended period of time has increased (slightly) after 2016.
Fewer children at risk of poverty
The 574 thousand households at risk of poverty account for more than 1 million people, of whom 251 thousand are minors. Nearly 100 thousand children had been living in a family on a low income for at least four years. The share of children at risk of poverty peaked at 321 thousand in 2013 (9.9 percent of all Dutch children). After that, their share decreased each year, reaching 7.8 percent in 2019. The group of children at risk of long-term poverty has also decreased annually since 2015.
| Jaar | Total population | Children |
|---|---|---|
| 2011 | 5.8 | 8 |
| 2012 | 6.7 | 9.1 |
| 2013 | 7.4 | 9.9 |
| 2014 | 7.2 | 9.7 |
| 2015 | 6.9 | 9.2 |
| 2016 | 6.5 | 8.5 |
| 2017 | 6.3 | 8.1 |
| 2018 | 6.3 | 7.9 |
| 2019* | 6.2 | 7.8 |
| * provisional figure | ||
Risk of poverty highest in largest cities
The number of people living below the low-income threshold is highest in the big cities. Big cities are also where most people reside. But the relative number of people with an income under the low-income threshold is also highest in the big cities. Rotterdam, Amsterdam and The Hague are in the lead, together with Groningen and Arnhem. The percentage of people at risk of poverty is higher than 11% in these municipalities. By comparison: the national average is 6.2 percent. The number of children at risk of living in poverty is highest in Rotterdam (16.5 percent), Heerlen (15 percent), Delfzijl (14.6 percent), Amsterdam (14.5 percent) and The Hague (14 percent). In 25 municipalities, this percentage is higher than 10. To provide you with some perspective: the national percentage of children at risk of poverty is 7.8.
| GemNaam | Share of children (%) | |
|---|---|---|
| Aa en Hunze | 5.6 | |
| Aalsmeer | 4.3 | |
| Aalten | 4.4 | |
| Achtkarspelen | 8 | |
| Alblasserdam | 5.3 | |
| Albrandswaard | 4 | |
| Alkmaar | 6.9 | |
| Almelo | 9.8 | |
| Almere | 8.7 | |
| Alphen aan den Rijn | 5.5 | |
| Alphen-Chaam | 6.4 | |
| Altena | 4 | |
| Ameland | 3.1 | |
| Amersfoort | 6.7 | |
| Amstelveen | 5.6 | |
| Amsterdam | 14.5 | |
| Apeldoorn | 7 | |
| Appingedam | 12.4 | |
| Arnhem | 11.4 | |
| Assen | 7.5 | |
| Asten | 4.9 | |
| Baarle-Nassau | 4.6 | |
| Baarn | 5.6 | |
| Barendrecht | 4.6 | |
| Barneveld | 3.8 | |
| Beek (L.) | 7.7 | |
| Beekdaelen | 5.8 | |
| Beemster | 5 | |
| Beesel | 6.1 | |
| Berg en Dal | 6.3 | |
| Bergeijk | 4.1 | |
| Bergen (L.) | 5.7 | |
| Bergen (NH.) | 5.7 | |
| Bergen op Zoom | 9.8 | |
| Berkelland | 4.8 | |
| Bernheze | 3.7 | |
| Best | 4 | |
| Beuningen | 5.1 | |
| Beverwijk | 8.7 | |
| Bladel | 4.3 | |
| Blaricum | 6.8 | |
| Bloemendaal | 4.1 | |
| Bodegraven-Reeuwijk | 4.5 | |
| Boekel | 4.5 | |
| Borger-Odoorn | 7.1 | |
| Borne | 3.9 | |
| Borsele | 4.4 | |
| Boxmeer | 5.4 | |
| Boxtel | 6.7 | |
| Breda | 7.8 | |
| Brielle | 4.3 | |
| Bronckhorst | 4.4 | |
| Brummen | 5.4 | |
| Brunssum | 9.1 | |
| Bunnik | 3 | |
| Bunschoten | 3.7 | |
| Buren | 5.6 | |
| Capelle aan den IJssel | 10.8 | |
| Castricum | 3.7 | |
| Coevorden | 8 | |
| Cranendonck | 5.7 | |
| Cuijk | 6 | |
| Culemborg | 6.2 | |
| Dalfsen | 3.3 | |
| Dantumadiel | 6 | |
| De Bilt | 5.5 | |
| De Fryske Marren | 5.9 | |
| De Ronde Venen | 5 | |
| De Wolden | 4.8 | |
| Delft | 11.4 | |
| Delfzijl | 14.6 | |
| Den Helder | 10.2 | |
| Deurne | 5.2 | |
| Deventer | 7.2 | |
| Diemen | 8.2 | |
| Dinkelland | 4.3 | |
| Doesburg | 8.5 | |
| Doetinchem | 7.7 | |
| Dongen | 4.6 | |
| Dordrecht | 9.5 | |
| Drechterland | 3.9 | |
| Drimmelen | 4.4 | |
| Dronten | 5.9 | |
| Druten | 5.3 | |
| Duiven | 5.2 | |
| Echt-Susteren | 6.4 | |
| Edam-Volendam | 4.2 | |
| Ede | 5.1 | |
| Eemnes | 3.9 | |
| Eersel | 4 | |
| Eijsden-Margraten | 3.8 | |
| Eindhoven | 9.4 | |
| Elburg | 4.9 | |
| Emmen | 9.2 | |
| Enkhuizen | 7.8 | |
| Enschede | 11.8 | |
| Epe | 6.4 | |
| Ermelo | 5.3 | |
| Etten-Leur | 6.4 | |
| Geertruidenberg | 5 | |
| Geldrop-Mierlo | 7 | |
| Gemert-Bakel | 5.5 | |
| Gennep | 6.3 | |
| Gilze en Rijen | 7.4 | |
| Goeree-Overflakkee | 4.4 | |
| Goes | 6.3 | |
| Goirle | 3.5 | |
| Gooise Meren | 5.1 | |
| Gorinchem | 8.3 | |
| Gouda | 8.1 | |
| Grave | 6.4 | |
| Groningen (gemeente) | 11 | |
| Gulpen-Wittem | 5.7 | |
| Haaksbergen | 5 | |
| Haaren | 2.7 | |
| Haarlem | 7.9 | |
| Haarlemmermeer | 5.1 | |
| Halderberge | 7.4 | |
| Hardenberg | 4.8 | |
| Harderwijk | 6.2 | |
| Hardinxveld-Giessendam | 3.3 | |
| Harlingen | 7.3 | |
| Hattem | 3 | |
| Heemskerk | 7.6 | |
| Heemstede | 3.5 | |
| Heerde | 4.2 | |
| Heerenveen | 5.9 | |
| Heerhugowaard | 5.2 | |
| Heerlen | 15.0 | |
| Heeze-Leende | 3.3 | |
| Heiloo | 4.2 | |
| Hellendoorn | 4 | |
| Hellevoetsluis | 7.7 | |
| Helmond | 9.2 | |
| Hendrik-Ido-Ambacht | 5 | |
| Hengelo (O.) | 8.1 | |
| Het Hogeland | 6.6 | |
| Heumen | 4.4 | |
| Heusden | 4.1 | |
| Hillegom | 5.5 | |
| Hilvarenbeek | 4 | |
| Hilversum | 7 | |
| Hoeksche Waard | 4.3 | |
| Hof van Twente | 4.8 | |
| Hollands Kroon | 5.4 | |
| Hoogeveen | 7.4 | |
| Hoorn | 7.5 | |
| Horst aan de Maas | 3.9 | |
| Houten | 3.4 | |
| Huizen | 6.5 | |
| Hulst | 6.3 | |
| IJsselstein | 6.1 | |
| Kaag en Braassem | 5.3 | |
| Kampen | 5 | |
| Kapelle | 4.8 | |
| Katwijk | 4.6 | |
| Kerkrade | 12.6 | |
| Koggenland | 4.3 | |
| Krimpen aan den IJssel | 6 | |
| Krimpenerwaard | 5 | |
| Laarbeek | 4.9 | |
| Landerd | 5 | |
| Landgraaf | 10.3 | |
| Landsmeer | 4.6 | |
| Langedijk | 5.5 | |
| Lansingerland | 4.7 | |
| Laren (NH.) | 6.4 | |
| Leeuwarden | 10.3 | |
| Leiden | 9.6 | |
| Leiderdorp | 5.1 | |
| Leidschendam-Voorburg | 7.4 | |
| Lelystad | 9.6 | |
| Leudal | 4.4 | |
| Leusden | 4 | |
| Lingewaard | 4.2 | |
| Lisse | 4 | |
| Lochem | 5.3 | |
| Loon op Zand | 4.8 | |
| Lopik | 6.3 | |
| Loppersum | 6.6 | |
| Losser | 6.4 | |
| Maasdriel | 5.6 | |
| Maasgouw | 4.2 | |
| Maassluis | 10.4 | |
| Maastricht | 11.2 | |
| Medemblik | 5.1 | |
| Meerssen | 3.8 | |
| Meierijstad | 5.1 | |
| Meppel | 5.8 | |
| Middelburg (Z.) | 8.2 | |
| Midden-Delfland | 4.2 | |
| Midden-Drenthe | 4.9 | |
| Midden-Groningen | 9.7 | |
| Mill en Sint Hubert | 6.3 | |
| Moerdijk | 6.2 | |
| Molenlanden | 3.3 | |
| Montferland | 5.6 | |
| Montfoort | 4.4 | |
| Mook en Middelaar | 3.6 | |
| Neder-Betuwe | 4.6 | |
| Nederweert | 4.3 | |
| Nieuwegein | 7.4 | |
| Nieuwkoop | 4.5 | |
| Nijkerk | 4.1 | |
| Nijmegen | 9.9 | |
| Nissewaard | 9.8 | |
| Noardeast-Fryslân | 6.7 | |
| Noord-Beveland | 7.4 | |
| Noordenveld | 5.9 | |
| Noordoostpolder | 8.1 | |
| Noordwijk | 5 | |
| Nuenen, Gerwen en Nederwetten | 5.4 | |
| Nunspeet | 4.7 | |
| Oegstgeest | 4.4 | |
| Oirschot | 3.3 | |
| Oisterwijk | 5.1 | |
| Oldambt | 10.9 | |
| Oldebroek | 4.3 | |
| Oldenzaal | 6.1 | |
| Olst-Wijhe | 5 | |
| Ommen | 5.8 | |
| Oost Gelre | 4.1 | |
| Oosterhout | 7.6 | |
| Ooststellingwerf | 6.4 | |
| Oostzaan | 4.9 | |
| Opmeer | 3.5 | |
| Opsterland | 6.2 | |
| Oss | 6.5 | |
| Oude IJsselstreek | 7.1 | |
| Ouder-Amstel | 4.6 | |
| Oudewater | 4.3 | |
| Overbetuwe | 4.5 | |
| Papendrecht | 5.9 | |
| Peel en Maas | 4.1 | |
| Pekela | 12.8 | |
| Pijnacker-Nootdorp | 3.9 | |
| Purmerend | 7 | |
| Putten | 4.2 | |
| Raalte | 5 | |
| Reimerswaal | 6.4 | |
| Renkum | 6.3 | |
| Renswoude | 3.1 | |
| Reusel-De Mierden | 4.6 | |
| Rheden | 8.6 | |
| Rhenen | 4.7 | |
| Ridderkerk | 8.8 | |
| Rijssen-Holten | 3.5 | |
| Rijswijk (ZH.) | 10.8 | |
| Roerdalen | 5.5 | |
| Roermond | 9.4 | |
| Roosendaal | 9.7 | |
| Rotterdam | 16.5 | |
| Rozendaal | 3 | |
| Rucphen | 6.2 | |
| Schagen | 4.3 | |
| Scherpenzeel | 3.7 | |
| Schiedam | 13.3 | |
| Schiermonnikoog | 3.9 | |
| Schouwen-Duiveland | 7.1 | |
| 's-Gravenhage (gemeente) | 14.0 | |
| 's-Hertogenbosch | 7.6 | |
| Simpelveld | 5.2 | |
| Sint Anthonis | 4 | |
| Sint-Michielsgestel | 3.9 | |
| Sittard-Geleen | 9.5 | |
| Sliedrecht | 6.7 | |
| Sluis | 7 | |
| Smallingerland | 8.1 | |
| Soest | 6.8 | |
| Someren | 4.7 | |
| Son en Breugel | 4.3 | |
| Stadskanaal | 8.5 | |
| Staphorst | 3 | |
| Stede Broec | 5.7 | |
| Steenbergen | 7 | |
| Steenwijkerland | 5.7 | |
| Stein (L.) | 4.9 | |
| Stichtse Vecht | 4.5 | |
| Súdwest-Fryslân | 7.1 | |
| Terneuzen | 8.4 | |
| Terschelling | 2.3 | |
| Texel | 7.4 | |
| Teylingen | 3.6 | |
| Tholen | 6 | |
| Tiel | 8.4 | |
| Tilburg | 10.1 | |
| Tubbergen | 2.9 | |
| Twenterand | 4.8 | |
| Tynaarlo | 4.7 | |
| Tytsjerksteradiel | 5 | |
| Uden | 5.2 | |
| Uitgeest | 4 | |
| Uithoorn | 6.8 | |
| Urk | 5.6 | |
| Utrecht (gemeente) | 9.5 | |
| Utrechtse Heuvelrug | 5.2 | |
| Vaals | 9.6 | |
| Valkenburg aan de Geul | 7.5 | |
| Valkenswaard | 6.6 | |
| Veendam | 9.4 | |
| Veenendaal | 6.5 | |
| Veere | 3.1 | |
| Veldhoven | 5.2 | |
| Velsen | 7.6 | |
| Venlo | 9.5 | |
| Venray | 6.6 | |
| Vijfheerenlanden | 5.9 | |
| Vlaardingen | 11.8 | |
| Vlieland | 6.8 | |
| Vlissingen | 10.9 | |
| Voerendaal | 6.4 | |
| Voorschoten | 5 | |
| Voorst | 3.7 | |
| Vught | 3.9 | |
| Waadhoeke | 6.2 | |
| Waalre | 4.8 | |
| Waalwijk | 6 | |
| Waddinxveen | 5.6 | |
| Wageningen | 7.1 | |
| Wassenaar | 6.8 | |
| Waterland | 5.3 | |
| Weert | 7.3 | |
| Weesp | 7.2 | |
| West Betuwe | 4.1 | |
| West Maas en Waal | 5.5 | |
| Westerkwartier | 5 | |
| Westerveld | 4.2 | |
| Westervoort | 7.9 | |
| Westerwolde | 9.6 | |
| Westland | 5.2 | |
| Weststellingwerf | 6.3 | |
| Westvoorne | 5.9 | |
| Wierden | 3.6 | |
| Wijchen | 5.4 | |
| Wijdemeren | 4.9 | |
| Wijk bij Duurstede | 4.7 | |
| Winterswijk | 5.7 | |
| Woensdrecht | 5.8 | |
| Woerden | 4.4 | |
| Wormerland | 6.9 | |
| Woudenberg | 3.9 | |
| Zaanstad | 9 | |
| Zaltbommel | 5.1 | |
| Zandvoort | 9.5 | |
| Zeewolde | 6.3 | |
| Zeist | 8.9 | |
| Zevenaar | 6.5 | |
| Zoetermeer | 9.1 | |
| Zoeterwoude | 4.2 | |
| Zuidplas | 5.2 | |
| Zundert | 6.4 | |
| Zutphen | 9.2 | |
| Zwartewaterland | 4.2 | |
| Zwijndrecht | 11.3 | |
| Zwolle | 6.6 | |
| * provisional figures | ||
The questions
- How are figures calculated by CBS?
- How many dwellings in the Netherlands?
- How fast is the Dutch population growing?
- How tall are Dutch people?
- How many farm animals are there in the Netherlands?
- Which jobs often cause a poor work-life balance?
- How many diamond wedding couples are there?
- How much energy is from renewable sources?
- How many people fall victim to domestic violence?
- How many people use the Internet of Things?
- What are the major religions?
- What are the most popular majors?
- What do people die of on an average day?
- How much water do we consume?
- What do we buy online?
- How are the various animal species doing?
- How many under-23s receive youth assistance?
- Which flower bulbs are most common?
- How many companies in the Netherlands?
- Where do Caribbean Dutch children live?
- How do we use our land?
- How many electric cars are driving around?
- Which jobs have the highest levels of mental fatigue?
- How much nitrogen is emitted at livestock farms?
- How many workers belong to a trade union?
- How much have food prices gone up?
- Where were people in the Caribbean Netherlands originally born?
- How many families are at risk of poverty?
- How sustainable is our behaviour?
- What do we import from China?
- How many girls become teenage mothers?
- Has our purchasing power gone up or down?
- How many adults smoke?
- How many millionaires in the Netherlands?
- How many tourists stay overnight in the Netherlands?
- How does CBS handle your privacy?