The population of the Netherlands grew by just 47,000 this year, the national statistics office CBS said on Thursday.

The marginal growth is due to a reduction in immigration and the fact more migrants have left the Netherlands, the CBS said. In particular, many migrants from Eastern and central Europe left this year, partly due to the economic downturn.
Immigration from Africa and Asia was also down, there were fewer live births and more deaths, the CBS said.
Nevertheless, by 2040 the population is due to reach 17.8 million, 1.1 million more than its current total, CBS statisticians say.