nuJun 12, 2026, 05:23

Number of welfare recipients rises again, especially among young people

The number of welfare recipients in the Netherlands rose to 411,000 in the first quarter of 2026, an increase of 1,000 people compared to the previous three months. Preliminary data from Statistics Netherlands (CBS) indicates that this growth is particularly driven by an increase in younger recipients.

Economy Netherlands

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Based on reporting by nu. Translated and condensed by LocalHeadlines.

Heat, drought and disease: climate change takes a heavy toll on health

A global report from the Lancet Countdown reveals that climate change is a mounting threat, causing 540,000 heat-related deaths annually and increasing the spread of infectious diseases. Researchers urge for faster decarbonization and the recognition of climate change as a health emergency, noting that current progress is insufficient to protect global populations.

Major Amsterdam clothing recycler shuts down after just a year and a half: 'Painful and sad'

An Amsterdam factory specialized in recycling textile waste into new fibers is closing its doors after just eighteen months of operation. The unexpected shutdown of this facility represents a major loss for large-scale garment recycling efforts within the Netherlands.

Young faces sense their chance: with a good brain and fast Wi-Fi, there is a lot of money to be made

The latest Quote 500 list demonstrates that young entrepreneurs can achieve significant wealth rapidly through the internet. Experts suggest that intelligence combined with a stable high-speed internet connection is sufficient to become a multimillionaire, leading to expectations of more young individuals entering the list soon.

In Bloemendaal you are 'just a millionaire', the term is subject to inflation

Bloemendaal remains the Dutch village with the highest concentration of millionaires, though residents feel the title has lost its prestige due to economic inflation. With property values soaring, locals suggest that having one million euros is no longer a significant marker of extreme wealth.

Shipbuilder Damen cuts 225 jobs in the Netherlands: 'Not due to cancellation of German frigate order'

Shipbuilder Damen plans to cut 225 jobs in the Netherlands over the next year and a half to improve operational efficiency and long-term competitiveness. The company maintains that the decision is unrelated to the recent cancellation of a large German frigate contract or ongoing issues with other defense projects.