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Netherlands

NL

Western Europe

Netherlands is home to 7 documented ethnic groups in Western Europe — led by Dutch (~75%), Netherlands Other (~12%), Dutch Frisian (~5%), Dutch Turkish (~2%). This page blends their phenotype and demographic data into one weighted reference: skin tone, facial features, hair texture and build, drawn from published census and ancestry sources.

Demographic Composition

Composition weights are derived from self-identification in published census and demographic surveys. Each row links to the source ethnic-group atlas page.

Ethnic groupWeightSource
DutchDutch75.2%CBS Statistics Netherlands 2024; Dutch (Nederlanders) (~75.2%, ~13.4M+ of ~17.8M total). West Germanic ethnic group, predominantly secular / Roman Catholic / Protestant Reformed Christian
Netherlands OtherNetherlands Other11.5%CBS 2024 residual; includes Antillean / Aruban / Curaçaoan-Dutch (the Dutch Caribbean diaspora), Polish (substantial post-2004 EU-enlargement-era immigration), German, Belgian, British, Iraqi, Syrian, Afghan, Eritrean, Somali, Chinese, plus other source populations
Dutch FrisianDutch Frisian4.5%CBS estimates; Frisians (~4.5%, ~800,000+); the West Frisian-language minority concentrated in Friesland province. The West Frisian language is co-official with Dutch in Friesland
Dutch TurkishDutch Turkish2.4%CBS 2024; Turkish-Dutch (~2.4%, ~430,000+); descendants of post-1964 Gastarbeiter labor-migration
Dutch MoroccanDutch Moroccan2.4%CBS 2024; Moroccan-Dutch (~2.4%, ~420,000+); descendants of post-1969 Moroccan labor-migration plus subsequent immigration. Predominantly Berber (Riffian) source population
Dutch SurinameseDutch Surinamese2.0%CBS 2024; Surinamese-Dutch (~2%, ~360,000+); the substantial post-1975 Surinamese-Dutch community following Suriname's independence (approximately 130,000+ Surinamese emigrated to the Netherlands 1973-1980 during the independence-period exodus)
Dutch IndonesianDutch Indonesian2.0%CBS 2024; Indonesian-Dutch / Indo-European Dutch (~2%, ~370,000+); descendants of the post-1949 repatriation of approximately 300,000 Indos (Eurasian-Dutch-Indonesian-descended) following Indonesian independence plus Moluccan-Dutch refugees plus subsequent Indonesian-Dutch immigration

Netherlands Phenotype Profile

Netherlands has a Dutch-majority demographic profile (~75%) with substantial post-1964 immigration including Turkish (~2.4%), Moroccan (~2.4%), Surinamese (~2%), Indonesian (~2%), Frisian (~4.5%), and other (~12%) communities. Dutch populations have one of the tallest national mean statures globally (adult male ~184-185 cm).

A descriptive view, not a claim about individuals

This page shows a weighted aggregate of phenotype observations across the Netherlands population, based on demographic composition from published census and ancestry sources. Phenotypes within any country are far more varied than the aggregate suggests; this is a descriptive reference, not a deterministic claim about any individual. For source-level detail on individual ethnic groups, see the constituent atlas pages linked below.

Methodology Notes

Composition weights derived from CBS Statistics Netherlands 2024 estimates. The CBS Migrationsachtergrond (migration background) framework distinguishes 'Dutch' from 'Western migration background' and 'Non-Western migration background' immigrant categorizations.

See full project methodology →

Primary Sources

  1. 1.Statistics Netherlands (CBS). Bevolking met migratieachtergrond 2024. The Hague: CBS; 2024.
  2. 2.Israel JI. The Dutch Republic: Its Rise, Greatness, and Fall, 1477-1806. Oxford University Press; 1995.
  3. 3.Lucassen L. The Immigrant Threat: The Integration of Old and New Migrants in Western Europe Since 1850. University of Illinois Press; 2005.
  4. 4.Bosma U. Terug uit de koloniën: Zestig jaar postkoloniale migranten en hun organisaties. Bert Bakker; 2009.
  5. 5.Mak G. Geschiedenis van Nederland in de twintigste eeuw. Atlas; 2008.

Other countries in Western Europe

Aggregate phenotype references for neighbouring Western Europe nations, weighted by demographic composition.

Browse all Western Europeethnic groups & countries →