Islam emerges as fastest-growing religion among Dutch youth
Islam sees rising popularity among Dutch youth, reflecting a broader spiritual shift
AMSTERDAM (MNTV) – The Netherlands experienced a notable shift in religious demographics in 2024, with Islam becoming the fastest-growing faith among young people, according to the Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS).
While overall religious affiliation rose slightly from 42% in 2023 to 44%, Islam saw significant growth, particularly among those aged 18 to 25.
Muslims now make up approximately 6% of the Dutch population, with communities primarily concentrated in cities like Amsterdam, Rotterdam, The Hague, and Utrecht.
These communities consist largely of individuals with Turkish, Moroccan, Surinamese, Indonesian, Iraqi, and Syrian backgrounds.
The CBS data revealed a halt in the steady decline of religious affiliation observed since 2010.
In 2010, 55% of the population identified as religious, compared to 44% in 2024.
This marks a shift in a decade-long trend of decreasing religiosity in the Netherlands.
Among the nation’s religious groups, Roman Catholics remain the largest, followed by Protestants and Muslims.
Around 7% identify with other religions.
However, young adults aged 18 to 25 are the least likely to identify with any religion, with over two-thirds in this age group identifying as non-religious.
By contrast, over 60% of those aged 75 and older consider themselves religious.
Muslims stand out for their level of observance, with nearly half attending mosque services at least once a month—among the highest rates of attendance for any religious group in the Netherlands.
The rise in Islam’s popularity is attributed to growing Muslim communities and the success of Islamic schools.
Currently, 53 Islamic schools educate 12,500 students, many achieving top national academic rankings.
This increase in interest among youth reflects a broader spiritual search and highlights the growing influence of Islam in Dutch social and cultural life, despite challenges faced by the Muslim community.
Have Your Say!
Have you been affected by the issues raised in this story? Please share your experiences by emailing haveyoursay@soundvision.com.
Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a Muslim Network TV’s representative. You can also get in touch in the following ways:
Tweet: @MuslimNetworkTV
We must take charge of our narrative. Research indicates that 92% of their Muslim coverage is negative. Help us change that.
