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By 2026, the Netherlands is projected to be home to 18,448,775 people. That is a 1.8-fold increase on the 10,113,757 recorded in 1950. It is growing modestly, at +0.51% a year, adding about 94.1K people a year. People are packed in tightly, at 548 people/km², among the most crowded places on Earth. Half the population is younger than 41.5 years, and the age structure is steadily tilting older: the median is projected to reach 45.5 by 2050. The sexes are close to evenly balanced, at 99 males per 100 females. By 2100, UN projections see it falling to 17,507,518 (-5% from 2026).
Total population
18,448,775
Density
548 people/km²
Median age
41.5 years
Growth rate
+0.51%
The Netherlands' population continues to grow, though at a moderate pace. The population is gradually aging, with median age projected to reach 45 by 2050 (up from 42 in 2026). Population density is high at 548 people per km².