Top 3 Destinations for Netherlands Expats (2023 Data via 2025 OECD Report)
The report estimates that 42,000 Dutch citizens left for other OECD countries in 2023, down 2% from the year before:
| Country of Origin | Destination Country | # of Migrants |
|---|---|---|
| Netherlands | Spain | ~8,820 (21% of overall Dutch outflow) |
| Netherlands | Belgium | ~7,560 (18% of overall Dutch outflow) |
| Netherlands | Germany | ~5,460 (13% of overall Dutch outflow) |
Spain leads. It's the same story across most of Western Europe. Belgium and Germany are direct neighbors, and together the top 3 account for over half of Dutch emigration to OECD countries.
So if the Dutch are headed to Spain, Belgium, and Germany, where are those countries sending their people?
Emigration of Spanish citizens (to OECD countries) was 80,000 in 2023. ~18% went to Germany, 13% to the Netherlands, and 12% to France.
Emigration of Belgian citizens (to OECD countries) was 28,000 in 2023. ~28% went to France, 21% to Spain, and 12% to the Netherlands.
Emigration of German citizens (to OECD countries) was 145,000 in 2023. ~18% went to Switzerland, 14% to Austria, and 13% to Poland.
| Country of Origin | Top Destination Country | # of Migrants |
|---|---|---|
| Spain | Germany | ~14,400 |
| Belgium | France | ~7,840 |
| Germany | Switzerland | ~26,100 |