University and college students have become increasingly likely to stay living with their parents until graduation since the introduction of the student loan system in 2015, according to research by national statistics agency CBS.

Some 43% of students who graduated in 2023 had lived at home during their entire college period, but for those who graduated in 2016, the figure was 31%, the research showed.

Men were significantly more likely to stay at home than women, as were students attending a hbo college rather than a university.

Students who did move out tended to do so at a later age. Of those who graduated in 2016, 63% were still living at home after their first year of study. Among students graduating in 2023, that figure had increased to 79%.

The student loan system was introduced in 2015, replacing the basic student grant. It was heavily criticised for leaving students with large debts and grants were brought back in 2023, although students still have to borrow significantly.

Maaike Krom, chairwoman of student union LSVB, said rising housing costs are a key factor. “It’s not just a shortage of housing, it’s also simply no longer affordable,” she told broadcaster NOS. “Room prices have increased so sharply that students can’t move out even if they want to.”

Research by student room monitor Kences last year suggested there are currently 17,800 fewer student rooms owned by private landlords than in 2024 – partly due to sell-offs prompted by changes to rent controls and contracts.

Student groups want the government to sanction temporary contracts for students and to make it easier for several students to share a property. Many councils, including Amsterdam, have made it more difficult for more than two adults to share a home without a licence.

The high demand from students also means that despite the affordable housing legislation, the average rent for a student room has increased by 10% to €38.50 per square metre.

Students in Amsterdam pay an average of €979 a month for a room while in Leiden and Wageningen rents have gone up by around 19% in the last year. The average rent is now nearly €700 a month, according to studio rental platform Kamernet.