Amsterdam the most popular destination for young people leaving home

In 2024, more than 174,000 young people between the ages of 18 and 30 left home. Many of these young people move to large cities. Approximately one-third choose one of ten major cities, such as Amsterdam, The Hague and Utrecht.

Not all young people are students. Students and non-students often move into different types of housing. Students usually rent a home from an individual or a company.

Non-students are more likely to buy a home. Young people pursuing secondary vocational education are relatively often homeowners, because they frequently work and study at the same time. Sometimes young people live with their partner or family and are not themselves named on the rental or purchase contract.

Young people choose to live alone or with others, such as roommates, family members or a partner. Women are more likely than men to live with others. University students most often live with others.

Students in secondary vocational education, by contrast, are more likely to live alone. Young people who work are generally older than students when they leave home. Students in secondary vocational education leave home at the youngest age, on average when they are 21.4 years old.

Working young people often do not leave the parental home until they are 25. Amsterdam is the most popular city to live in for young people leaving home. In 2024, more than 12,000 young people moved to Amsterdam.

Utrecht and Groningen are also popular, especially among students. The Hague, by contrast, is home to more non-students.