GRONINGEN - Population
A stable population
Over the past 10 years Groningen has had a stable population: the excess of births over deaths and the influx of migrants from abroad (positive migration balance with foreign countries) have been cancelled out by the number of people moving out to other parts of the Netherlands. The city of Groningen is close to the attractive neighbouring province of Drenthe. Many former inhabitants of the city of Groningen have left for this inviting area. At present the number of job opportunities is growing, and this has reduced emigration.
The age structure of the population is in line with the national pattern. Thus there is a large proportion in the 25 to 65 age-group. The proportion of over-65s is expected to increase over the next few decades. In 1999, the birth rate in the province is equal to 11.6 and the infant mortality rate to 6.3.
The university city of Groningen has for many years had a great attraction for young people. Even after completing their studies many people continue to live in the city, so that its population structure is different from that of the surrounding areas. There are also many more single-person households than in the rest of the province.
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