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160

Dutch population must stay below 20 million, ministers say (www.dutchnews.nl)

submitted 3 weeks ago* (last edited 3 weeks ago) by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

30 comments fedilink hide all child comments

Summary

The Dutch government is considering measures to cap the Netherlands’ population at 20 million by 2050, responding to a demographic commission’s recommendation.

Currently at 18 million, the population’s growth raises concerns about pressures on housing, healthcare, and education.

Immigration minister Marjolein Faber and social affairs minister Eddy van Hijum emphasized stricter asylum limits and more targeted migration policies, with further research underway.

Economists warn that an aging population might necessitate increased foreign labor or domestic reforms, as 3 million extra workers by 2040 is deemed unfeasible.

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[–] [email protected] 59 points 3 weeks ago* (last edited 3 weeks ago) (2 children)

That's just looking for an excuse to close borders to keep migrants out. It's a right winger saying this.

The fertility rate in the Netherlands is 1.49 now, way below replacement rate, so the usual "we have to stop people from having kids" is done. Mission successful. Congratulations.

What they usually don't say is who's going to keep production high and do the work that's needed if you don't have enough kids to replace workers retiring and keep all the migrants out. Stop people from retiring and stop trying to grow the economy I guess.

[–] [email protected] 5 points 3 weeks ago* (last edited 3 weeks ago) (1 children)

The thought tends to go I) internal birth rates are failing because the cost of raising a family is too high ii) part of that cost is driven by high accommodation costs and downward pressure on wages iii) both of these are alleviated if immigration is restricted

I've no idea if that would actually work, but the logic makes some sense (obvious flaw being if you restrict immigration you lose workers now but internal births take a couple of decades to compensate)

[–] [email protected] 21 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)

Looking at Japan, China and Korea, countries with falling birth rate and strict immigration policies, it seems that the expected higher wages and increased births never materialize. The remaining workers are just squeezed harder so the economy can continue to function and grow, what results in people having less children because they have to work so much, and it ends up in a downward spiral.

[–] [email protected] 6 points 3 weeks ago

True

[–] [email protected] 1 points 3 weeks ago

it is also a genius strategy for a country that relies heavily on trade, having two of the largest ports of Europe, to close itself off from the rest of Europe.

[–] [email protected] 38 points 3 weeks ago* (last edited 3 weeks ago) (1 children)

... Immigration minister Marjolein Faber ...

Some time ago she announced that there would be checks at the borders

She was asked to elaborate further

She responded with "the checks will be at the borders"

When asked to elaborate further, she answered at the borders with Germany and Belgium (no shit, they're literally the only countries bordering the Netherlands)

She also said they were going to place billboards in front of places were asylum seekers were staying that would say "we're working on your return", "just like I saw in Denmark". Except she never saw that anywhere, and it would just be cruel and pointless.

So far, very little things have actually passed through parlement despite them having the majority in the "2e kamer".

[–] [email protected] 4 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)

Technically it also borders France by means of Saint Martin.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 3 weeks ago

I think that's technically the kingdom of the Netherlands.

[–] [email protected] 19 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)

If their population were to exceed 20 million, would that actually be a problem or this just thinly-veiled anti-immigration fear-mongering?

[–] [email protected] 17 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)

The population would be too heavy and sink the country

[–] WhyJiffie 2 points 3 weeks ago

then it would also create a singularity and destroy the world as we know it

[–] [email protected] 19 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)

If we started building houses instead of supporting export farmers, there wouldn't be an issue. We can't build due to EU emission regulations and farmers refuse to do anything to reduce any. And we let them. Because, we care more about their income then we care about a roof over our head, apparently. 85% Dutch farmers produce is export. Instead of capping the population, we should ditch the right wing government, restrict farmers and start building houses. Instead of fixing the problems we have, the government is fueling them while at the same time creating loads more.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 3 weeks ago* (last edited 3 weeks ago) (1 children)

Yeah that's all need and dandy but have you ever thought about this:

"more money now! MORE MONEY NOW! NOW NOW NOW NOW!"

[–] [email protected] 2 points 3 weeks ago

Yeah, but only for the rich and mega corps of course. At the cost of the peasants.

[–] lemon 12 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)

In anticipation of this I propose both Belgium and Denmark start building a wall along the border and revise their building codes so that all doorways must be made inconveniently low.

[–] [email protected] 5 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)

I already often hit my head on Belgian doorways so they don't have to change much haha! Why Denmark though, The Netherlands borders Belgium and Germany, and technically France (on Saint Martin).

[–] lemon 4 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)

Why Denmark

So, according to wikipedia there is a small shared border.

Real answer though: I’m an idiot. I remembered driving from Belgium to Denmark through the Netherlands and completely forgot passing through Germany along the way.

Still think those Danes should consider a wall.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 3 weeks ago* (last edited 3 weeks ago)

So, according to wikipedia there is a small shared border.

Source? Unable to find anything.

I don't blame you for not remembering Germany. Netherlands: Constant traffic jam. Germany: 230km/h, Denmark in a few hours without a stop 👌Also, northern Germany is boring AF

Walls are dumb though. Doesn't work.

[–] [email protected] 9 points 3 weeks ago

https://www.populationpyramid.net/netherlands/2040/

As things stand, the UN expects the population to peak at about 19 million before entering decline, so that should be a pretty easy goal.

[–] [email protected] 6 points 3 weeks ago* (last edited 3 weeks ago) (1 children)

Wow I guess the entire world isn't run by assholes and idiots.

EDIT: Nah their plan sucks ass.

[–] [email protected] 24 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)

This is largely coming from the right-wing anti-immigrants government. They definitely are idiots, and some are assholes too.

There are sensible reasons to want this. They don't want this for those reasons.

[–] [email protected] 7 points 3 weeks ago* (last edited 3 weeks ago)

Yeah I just gave it a read now that I had a moment, and it appears they have absolutely no plans on actually limiting overall population growth and instead merely wish to severely limit accepting people from outside despite the obvious consequences.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 3 weeks ago

...or else