Non-Western youth now form majority in Amsterdam

Around 100,000 youngsters aged 12 to 23 live in Amsterdam. Of this number, only 38 percent are ‘white’ Dutch people, as figures by the municipal department for research and statistics reveal.

Over half of Amsterdam youths aged between 12 and 23 has a non-Western background (52 percent). This is over three times the national average for this age category (16 percent). ‘White’ Dutch youngsters make up 38 percent and Western immigrants 11 percent in Amsterdam.

The three largest ethnic groups among Amsterdam youngsters are ‘white’ Dutch natives (38 percent), Moroccans (15 percent) and Surinamese (14 percent). By 2030, the group of ‘other non-Western immigrants’, including Somalis, Iraqis and Afghans, will have risen in size from fourth to second position.

Almost 17,000 Amsterdam youngsters between 12 and 20 (29 percent) live in a household with a minimum income. Among Moroccan youngsters aged 12 to 15, this is 55 percent.

The 100,000 youngsters aged 12 to 23 make up 14 percent of the capital’s total population. In comparison with the rest of the country, Amsterdam has relatively few youngsters aged 12 to 19 (7.9 percent compared to an average of 9.8 percent) and relatively many aged 20 to 23 (5.6 percent compared to 4.7 percent). This age group includes a large number of students.

The figures emerge from a study into how Amsterdam youngsters spend their free time. Various recommendations are made in the study. For example, “Islamic youngsters are in need of separate (sport) activities”, with just boys or just girls.

Voluntary work is highly unpopular among the youngsters. According to the study, they even prefer doing homework. Their favourite occupation is listening to music. Around 3 percent visit a mosque or church on a daily basis.

Source: NIS News, 13 December 2007