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In 2023, over 38 thousand people submitted a first application for asylum in the Netherlands. This is 8 percent more than one year previously. In contrast, the number of following family members decreased by 7 percent, relative to 2022. Similar to recent years, Syrian asylum seekers constitute the largest group. Statistics Netherlands (CBS) reports this … Continue reading More asylum requests and fewer following family members in 2023

Last year, the unemployment rate hardly changed. In December, 3.6 percent of the labour force were unemployed, equivalent to the 2023 average. In Q4, unemployment declined slightly by 3 thousand per month on average, ending at 361 thousand in December. In the same period, the number of people in paid employment grew by 25 thousand … Continue reading Unemployment virtually unchanged in The Netherlands in 2023

A 1925 time capsule - which was opened this week - will be on display at the Binnenhof Renovation Information Centre in The Hague. From today, Wednesday 31 January, until Sunday 4 February, the lead box and contents will be on display. The free Information Centre Binnenhof Renovation is located at Plaats 22, close to … Continue reading Time capsule from 1925 on display at the Binnenhof Renovation Information Centre in The Hague until 4 February

Over the next 3 years, Stichting Landelijk Centrum Seksueel Geweld (LCSG) will be able to count on more than €1.1 million. This is double the basic amount for 2023. The additional funds follow from the Van der Laan/Van der Werf motion for the purpose of strengthening the national function of the Centre for Sexual Violence. … Continue reading Additional funds for the Centre for Sexual Violence

Last Friday marked LEO's International Flavors' second anniversary.  Over the past few weeks, people were called upon to suggest a loved one who deserved a boost for a positive start to the new year. Those selected were able to dine at the restaurant free of charge. In honour of the anniversary, chef Sido de Brabander … Continue reading LEO’s International Flavors restaurant celebrates second anniversary

As one of the first EU Member States, the Dutch government recently presented a vision on generative AI. In this vision, the government emphasises the urgent need to take action with a view to the opportunities and challenges of this disruptive and at the same time promising technology. The vision ties in with a series … Continue reading Dutch government presents vision on generative AI

Over the weekend, a new natural health centre opened in The Hague, at Badhuisstraat 224. Founder and CEO, Sandra Delgado Quist, is an accredited Homeopath and Reiki teacher.  She spent four years studying at The School of Homeopathy in Stroud, UK, and completed a three year postgraduate course at the Dynamis School for Advanced Homeopathy … Continue reading New Natural Health Centre Opens in The Hague

Avonturenboerderij Molenwaard has been voted 'Best outing in South Holland'.  This was revealed recently in the ANWB election of the 'Best outings in the Netherlands 2024'. Representatives of Avonturenboerderij Molenwaard received a gold award during the festive award ceremony las week. The silver and bronze awards this year go to De Tuinderij and Faunapark Flakkee. … Continue reading Avonturenboerderij Molenwaard has been voted ‘Best outing in South Holland’ by ANWB

In 2023, Dutch Customs seized almost 60,000 kg of cocaine. This is a sharp increase compared to 2022, when more than 51,000 kg of cocaine was seized. The largest seizures were in the ports of Rotterdam and Vlissingen. At airports, more than twice as much cocaine was seized by Customs. Aukje de Vries, State Secretary … Continue reading Cocaine seizures by Customs see sharp rise in 2023

Fonds 1818 financially supports community and not for profit projects in nineteen municipalities in South Holland.   In 2023 in The Hague, 485 projects were funded, adding up to a total amount of 5,776,730 euros. Whether it is a large social organisation applying for a donation of 100,000 euros or a group of neighbours who … Continue reading Fonds 1818 funded community projects in The Hague in 2023 with over 5.7 million euros

Primary schools are continuing to discriminate against children from migrant backgrounds when deciding what level of secondary school they should go to, an education watchdog has said. Research by Kennisplatform Inclusief Samenwerken (KIS), which campaigns for equality in education, said parents had virtually no opportunity to challenge teachers’ recommendations. Being placed in a lower stream … Continue reading Call to scrap “discriminatory” secondary school streaming

Master Model Builder Jamie-Lee Verhoeff calls on children to help her LEGOLAND® Discovery Centre Scheveningen is looking for enthusiastic LEGO® fans between 5 and 10 years old from The Hague. Master Model Builder Jamie-Lee Verhoeff is putting together an exclusive Kids Crew to help her inspire other children to build creatively with LEGO®. In addition, … Continue reading LEGOLAND® Discovery Centre Scheveningen is looking for LEGO® fans (5 – 10 years old) from The Hague for Kids Crew

The government has made a proposal to oblige fewer companies to have their annual report audited and to draw up an annual report. This reduces the burden on companies and the pressure on auditors’ audit capacity. The proposal implements a European Commission directive that incorporates inflation over the past 10 years into the criteria used … Continue reading Audit and annual report obligatory for fewer companies

Nominate a loved one for a complimentary dinner who could use a great start of 2024 On Friday, January 26, 2024, LEO’s International Flavors celebrates its second anniversary. To mark this two-year milestone, the Leonardo Royal Hotel Den Haag Promenade is organizing an initiative for anyone who could use some cheering up. Therefore, the restaurant … Continue reading Restaurant LEO’s International Flavors treats guests to a four-course dinner for its two-year anniversary

As of 1 January 2024, several new laws took effect in The Netherlands.  Here is an overview in English. Use of personal data for intimidation purposes punishable Sharing personal data of someone for the purposes of intimidating that person - also referred to as doxing - is punishable as of 1 January. Doxing is a … Continue reading New legislation in The Netherlands as of 1 January 2024

The general board of the Rotterdam The Hague Metropolitan Region (MRDH) has agreed to earmark €145 million for public transport operations until 2030. This will give regional transport operators RET, HTM and EBS the financial perspective they asked for. On 15 November, the 21 MRDH Mobility aldermen already agreed to the plans. Metro, bus and … Continue reading MRDH general board gives final approval on mega public transport investment

The Dutch population will continue to increase in the coming years, but less rapidly than in recent years; it is projected to reach 18 million in 2024 and 19 million in 2037. Population growth is largely attributable to migration and increased life expectancy. By 2040, a quarter of the population will be aged 65 years … Continue reading Forecast: nearly 18 million inhabitants, 19 million projected in 2037

A recent Dutch Chamber of Commerce (KVK) survey shows that entrepreneurs are struggling with staff shortages in 2023. 'Entrepreneurship in 2023', was a survey of 1,400 entrepreneurs, 685 of whom are SMEs (Small to Medium Enterprises) with staff. In the survey, they shared experiences such as: "No chance of finding staff", "Shortage of staff inhibits … Continue reading Entrepreneurs struggle with staff shortages

The 21 aldermen of Economy of the Rotterdam The Hague Metropolitan Region have decided to invest nearly a million euros in strengthening regional business parks. MRDH (De Metropoolregio Rotterdam Den Haag) board member Aart Jan Spoon: "We are taking the lead in the development of regional business parks. Space for expansion of business parks in … Continue reading Rotterdam-The Hague Metropolitan region invests in strengthening regional business parks

In the first half of 2023, 78 percent of the population aged 12 years or older said they had made an online purchase reports Statistics Netherlands (CBS), based on their latest survey on ICT usage by households and individuals. This is more than one year previously, and comparable to the numbers of 2021. Sales of … Continue reading Nearly 8 in 10 people shop online in 2023