Student migration to Dutch university cities remains stable

Data from Statistics Netherlands (CBS) indicates that the number of young people aged 17 to 22 moving to university cities has remained relatively stable. In 2025, nearly 32,000 individuals moved to such cities, a figure consistent with levels seen in 2022 and 2024.

In Enschede, the number of students moving from their parental homes decreased to approximately 1,200 in 2025, down from 1,300 the previous year. This reflects a broader national trend of more students choosing to live with their parents during their studies. A notable spike occurred in 2023, when over 50,000 young people moved to university cities, coinciding with the reintroduction of the basic student grant.

While most university cities saw a decline in new young residents, Utrecht and Maastricht were exceptions, recording growth. In Enschede, the majority of incoming students originate from the eastern region of the country, and there is a slightly higher proportion of male students moving to the city compared to females.