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One in five Amsterdam parents has problematic debt

Approximately 21 percent of households with children in Amsterdam are currently dealing with problematic debts, according to a 2025 report by local research authorities. The data reveals that larger families and those with older children face a significantly higher risk of financial instability compared to other household types in the city.

According to data from Amsterdam's Research & Statistics department, 24,890 households with children in the city were facing problematic debts at the beginning of 2025. This figure represents 21 percent of all such households, a significantly higher proportion compared to the 9 percent reported for households without children. The data is based on the city's biennial debt monitor, which defines problematic debt through specific criteria such as participation in debt restructuring programs or long-term payment arrears for health insurance and government agencies.

The research indicates that the risk of debt increases with family size, rising to 29 percent for households with three or more children. While definitive conclusions regarding age remain difficult, researchers suggest that families with children aged twelve and older may face a greater financial burden. Although the percentage of indebted families saw a slight increase between 2024 and 2025, officials stated it is too early to determine if this represents a long-term upward trend or a minor fluctuation within historically stable data.

Economy Lifestyle Amsterdam

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

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