Oh, and also the sheer trauma that they and their children are often still going through.

By Robert | August 11, 2011 9:17 AM

Wow, this is shocking news to me, especially considering that most Dutch people still try and tell me how social, liberal, and different from the US Holland is! Doesn't look much different to me anymore - privatize health insurance and other essential needs of citizens, then take away many social benefits, and presto! - here comes socially sanctified greed, instant class separation, more poverty and more crime.

By Bill | August 11, 2011 10:05 AM

Many people have income below 30.000 , so half of the country is below the official poverty line ???

By sakis | August 11, 2011 10:42 AM

Sadly due to lies deceit and deliberate false information most people seem to think refugees and immigrants are living the lives of royalty.Its about time we got some truths out.

By Jason | August 11, 2011 12:52 PM

That is really true half of the country is receving below 30,000

By Lamin | August 12, 2011 5:22 AM

Reading over these statistics again, I wonder just how the 50% of all NL households which bring 50k or less will be able to make it with all the massive budget cuts that are coming our way. Most Dutch people count on getting subsidies and small benefit payments which have enabled them to just be able to pay their bills - up till now. These are the young people that have gone out and bought homes when the prices were over-inflated, and cars, smart fones, etc. I hope these folks realize what is coming from the current cabinet.

By Bill | August 12, 2011 7:07 AM

33,000 is the average income in NL to get the poverty line you take 60% of the average income therefore the poverty line is 19,800. my usband and i are on 12000 >.<

By nem | August 12, 2011 12:58 PM

nem: hang in there, good luck and kind wishes to you and your husband regarding improving your circumstances! I have been very poor in my life, when I was young. I have a lot of empathy/sympathy for what you're going through.

By Bill | August 15, 2011 2:39 PM

@nem: I stand by Bill's statement. I'm unemployed myself since April and thus have zero income, meaning I will be well below the poverty line for the year 2011. And before anyone gets on my back, I am NOT collecting bijstand but have been sacrificing basic human pleasures (movies, restaurants, vacations, new books, drinks on the terrace etc. etc.) to save money. This makes me insanely bitter because I don't get to have any fun, but I will leave bijstand to those who truly need it, and I'm not quite there yet.

By Jitterboogie | August 16, 2011 1:54 PM

There are many Dutch families living on or below the poverty line not just refugees. You will be surprised!

By PhysicsMan | August 16, 2011 4:37 PM

nem/jitter: I went through sheer hell getting settled and getting a good job here. several times I almost left, I got so disappointed and discouraged - not only with work but with NL society in general. Learning to speak and read Dutch can also be a curse, because then you realize what is actually really happening here. But I don't think it would have been any easier if I'd gone back home, and the rewards I've reaped for hangin in here and focusing have been enormous, particularly in the personal growth area of my life. I don't earn a fortune, but I'm happy! And I learned so much. Anyways, all the best to you both.

By Bill | August 16, 2011 5:46 PM

@Jitterboogie: Why the hesitation to collecting subsidies? If you paid into the system, you are more than entitled to claim it back. If you don't pay into the system, then this is a cause for debate. I personally don't have a problem with immigrants going into debt for the first few years of moving to a new country, and then paying the system back as they get integrated. Refugees are not entitled to money, but they should be given opportunities...

By John | August 17, 2011 11:58 AM