Netherlands Population Live (2026)
The live population of the Netherlands, updated every second — with births today, deaths today, growth rate and key facts about one of the most interesting countries on Earth.
The Netherlands has an estimated population of about 17.9 million people in 2026 — 0.22% of the roughly 8.25 billion people on Earth, and the 49th largest of the 72 countries tracked on LiveHumans. The counter above starts from our 1 January 2026 estimate and adds births and subtracts deaths every second, using the Netherlands's latest birth rate (9.4 per 1,000 people a year) and death rate (9.2 per 1,000).
Is the population of the Netherlands growing?
Yes. Around 461 babies are born in the Netherlands every day — about 19 an hour — while around 451 people die. That leaves a natural increase of roughly 10 people a day, or about 3,578 a year: a growth rate of 0.02% before migration. That is slow growth: the gap between births and deaths is narrow, and on current trends the Netherlands is likely to see deaths overtake births within the next few decades unless birth rates recover.
A birth rate of 9.4 per 1,000 people is among the lowest in the world — fewer than 10 births per 1,000 people each year — which is the main reason the Netherlands's population is getting older. It ranks 56th of 72 for birth rate on LiveHumans.
Migration matters a lot here. The Netherlands attracts large numbers of people from abroad, so its real population change is noticeably bigger than the natural increase shown on this page. Our counter shows births minus deaths only, which is why official figures that include migration can be higher.
Births and deaths in the Netherlands
| Period | Births | Deaths | Net change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Per minute | 0.3 | 0.3 | 0.0 |
| Per hour | 19 | 19 | 0 |
| Per day | 461 | 451 | 10 |
| Per week | 3,225 | 3,156 | 69 |
| Per year | 168,166 | 164,588 | 3,578 |
How crowded is the Netherlands?
With about 17.9 million people living on 41,543 km², the Netherlands has roughly 430.6 people per square kilometre. That is around 7.1 times the world average of about 61 per km², making it the 4th most densely populated of the 72 countries we track. High density puts pressure on housing, transport and farmland, but it also makes cities and services cheaper to run per person.
Life expectancy in the Netherlands
A baby born in the Netherlands today can expect to live about 82.3 years, compared with a world average of about 73.3. That puts the Netherlands among the longest-lived countries on Earth (13th of 72), thanks to strong healthcare, low child mortality and healthy diets. Want a personal estimate? Try our life expectancy calculator.
Income and population
The Netherlands is a high-income country, with GDP of about $55,765 per person (9th of 72). Richer countries usually have low birth rates — people marry later, have fewer children, and live longer — and the Netherlands fits that pattern.
The Netherlands at a glance
| Fact | Value | Rank (of 72) |
|---|---|---|
| Population (2026 est.) | 17,890,000 | 49 |
| Births per day | 461 | 54 |
| Deaths per day | 451 | 45 |
| Birth rate (per 1,000) | 9.4 | 56 |
| Death rate (per 1,000) | 9.2 | 23 |
| Natural growth rate | 0.02% / year | 55 |
| Life expectancy | 82.3 years | 13 |
| Population density | 430.6 / km² | 4 |
| GDP per person | $55,765 | 9 |
| Area | 41,543 km² | — |
| Capital | Amsterdam | — |
| Languages | Dutch | — |
| Currency | Euro (€) | — |
Compare with other countries
See all countries on our population by country page, or watch the whole planet on the live world population counter.
How we calculate the Netherlands's live population
No country counts its people every second, so this page is an estimate. We start from a population figure for 1 January 2026 based on United Nations and World Bank data, then use the Netherlands's crude birth rate and crude death rate — the number of births and deaths per 1,000 people per year — to work out how many people are born and die each second. The counter simply adds those up in real time. Because migration is not included, and because rates change from year to year, treat the figure as a close estimate rather than an exact count.
Frequently asked questions
What is the population of the Netherlands in 2026?
The population of the Netherlands in 2026 is estimated at about 17.9 million people, which is around 0.22% of the world's population. The live counter on this page adds births and subtracts deaths every second.
How many babies are born in the Netherlands every day?
About 461 babies are born in the Netherlands every day — roughly 19 per hour, or 168,166 per year — based on a birth rate of 9.4 per 1,000 people.
How many people die in the Netherlands every day?
About 451 people die in the Netherlands every day — roughly 19 per hour, or 164,588 per year — based on a death rate of 9.2 per 1,000 people.
Is the population of the Netherlands growing or shrinking?
Growing. Births exceed deaths by about 10 people a day, a natural growth rate of 0.02% a year before migration.
What is the life expectancy in the Netherlands?
Life expectancy at birth in the Netherlands is about 82.3 years, compared with a world average of about 73.3 years.
How accurate is this Netherlands population counter?
It is a statistical estimate, not a live headcount. We start from a 1 January 2026 population estimate based on UN and World Bank data and apply the Netherlands's annual birth and death rates second by second. Migration is not included, so official figures may differ slightly.
Last updated: 26 September 2026 · Estimates based on UN World Population Prospects and World Bank data.