Trend Double ageing and shrinking household size

Summary

The report bundles the rapid growth of the oldest age groups and the shrinking size of households under the heading of double ageing and household thinning. People aged 65 and over already outnumbered those under 20 in 2025, and the 85-plus group is expected to more than double to over one million by 2060. The state commission on demography expects the Netherlands to remain a comparatively old society even after ageing has peaked. Household thinning stems not only from more older people living alone but also from more divorces and young people moving in together later, and one-person households could reach 5.1 million by 2060. According to the report, these shifts raise demand for care and long-term care entitlements and weigh heavily on the housing market and care infrastructure.