More children are being raised on welfare, due to rise in refugees

There has been a 1.3% rise in the number of children growing up on welfare benefits (bijstand) in the Netherlands, the national statistics office CBS said on Tuesday.

In total, 22,600 children were being raised in very low income households at the end of 2015. The increase is due to the influx of Syrian refugees, the CBS said. There has been a drop in the number of native Dutch children and children from a more traditional immigrant background growing up on benefits.

The biggest proportion of children living in families dependent on welfare is in Rotterdam, where 18% rely on the basic benefit. Amsterdam, Groningen city and Heerlen in Limburg, all on 14%, also score highly.

Welfare benefits amount to € 1,395.93 for a couple with children plus child and housing benefit.