The Netherlands is becoming increasingly segregated and there is less interaction between rich and poor, according to new research from government think-tank SCP. 

Rich people tend to live in a bubble with other rich people, particularly in Eindhoven and in towns such as Bloemendaal, Heemstede and Laren, the SCP said. This is partly down to higher house prices, which have allowed the rich to become richer, and have excluded people with smaller budgets from moving in. 

The report focuses on the 20% richest and poorest people in the Netherlands aged 30–59 and the people they potentially encounter near their homes, in family circles, at work and their children’s schools.

Although the Netherlands is less segregated than many other European countries, the research shows that there has been a shift in the last 10 years. And the trend is worrying, the SCP said, because it leads to inequality of opportunity. 

“The Netherlands sees itself as an egalitarian country. When discussing social class issues, we tend to play down the fact that socio-economic inequalities exist, or are quick to point out that, even if they do exist, this does not mean that some people are more valuable than others,” the report said.

A renewed focus on creating attractive residential areas, which looks at creating opportunities for people to meet and interact, would help remove some of the barriers, researcher Lotte Vermeij told broadcaster NOS.

“It requires attractive public spaces, accessible public services and community-based associations,” she said. 

Education is another area where money counts. “If your child is not getting a good education, then it is not surprising if you send them to a private school,” Vermeij told the NRC. “And then your child is among other rich children. This is the side effect of an understandable decision.”

School inspectors and the SCP warned earlier that the Dutch system of streaming children at the age of 12 is also increasing segregation in schools.

Expats

Earlier this year, national statistics agency CBS suggested that rich, white Dutch people are most likely to live in a bubble, mixing with similar people and sending their children to similar schools. 

At the end of last year Amsterdam mayor Femke Halsema caused a furore in the international community by telling “expats” to get out of their bubble. And last month, the local branch of the PvdA suggested “expats” be required to take an integration course to become better Amsterdammers.