Half as many knowledge migrants to the Netherlands since 2022

The number of knowledge migrants from outside the EU has halved since 2022, reports Statistics Netherlands. Universities association UNL calls it worrying: “Knowledge migrants are necessary for research and innovation here.”

In the past year, 14 thousand knowledge migrants from outside the EU came to the Netherlands, reports Statistics Netherlands. Three years earlier, in 2022, that was 26 thousand. They are relatively highly educated immigrants who come here to work, such as software developers, trainee doctors and researchers.

The number of knowledge migrants from India fell in particular. There were also fewer from Turkey, Russia, China and South Africa.

Urgent signal

“We consider it an urgent signal that the number of knowledge migrants is falling again”, says Ruben Puylaert, spokesperson for universities association UNL. “Stricter rules are putting the Netherlands’ reputation as an attractive knowledge hub under pressure.”

The cabinet is working on a national talent strategy. Puylaert: “We have worked hard on that together with the business community. This will allow us to attract and retain international talent. Knowledge migrants are necessary for research and innovation in the Netherlands.”

Education minister Letschert wants to allocate 154 million euros to attract international talent. This should mainly happen in sectors where the Netherlands has shortages. Universities and universities of applied sciences will also be allowed to recruit talent from abroad again. The cabinet will publish a letter before the summer.