The number of live births and marriages fell again in 2013, the national statistics office CBS says on Thursday.

In total, 74,000 people either got married or signed a registered partnership agreement, a drop of 6,000 on 2012. The decline was accounted for by fewer marriages.

The number of registered partnerships rose slightly. Monday is a popular day for signing them because in some council areas they are cheaper or even free on Mondays, the CBS says.

In total, 171,000 children were born in 2013, down 5,000 on 2012. The Dutch population is now around 16.8 million.

On the move

Despite the malaise on the housing market, 1.49 million people moved home last year. Around 162,000 immigrants moved to the Netherlands, a rise of 4,000 on 2012, while 144,000 people left.

There was a net increase of just under 10,000 in the number of Polish immigrants – the largest group, the CBS says.