People aged between 55 and 65 run the greatest risk of descending into poverty for a considerable length of time, the national statistics office CBS said on Monday.

This is because if made redundant at a later age, people are unlikely to find a new job and end up living on benefits for a longer period, the CBS said. They are also more likely to be claiming invalidity benefit.

By contrast, the over-65s have the lowest risk of becoming poor. They not only receive a state pension but in most cases a corporate pension as well, the CBS said.

Income

The CBS considers a single person to be poor if they have an income of below €1,020 a month for at least four years.  The figure for a couple with three children is €2,100.

The CBS also said that almost 32% of families with a breadwinner who has a non-western background have a low income, four times the rate among the native Dutch.