620,000 people in the Netherlands lost a close relative in 2025

In 2025, about 620,000 people in the Netherlands lost a close family member, according to an analysis by Statistics Netherlands (CBS). The figure represents 3.6% of the population; the loss was most common among people aged 65 and over.

The CBS analysis counts people who lost a parent, sibling, child or partner. Among those aged 65 and over, 7.2% lost a close relative during the year. For people aged 40 to 64, the figure was 5.3%. Among adults aged 18 to 39, it was 1.0%, and among minors, about 0.2%.

The relationship most often depended on age. Minors and young adults who lost a close relative usually lost a parent. Older people more often lost a sibling or partner. The CBS figures also show that around 599,000 people lost one family member in 2025, about 20,000 lost two and 700 lost three or more.

The analysis also counted bereaved relatives left by each person who died. Some 86% of those who died had at least one close family member, while 13.5% had none, the CBS said. More distant relatives, such as aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews, were not included.

The figures cover the Dutch population as of 1 January 2025. The CBS says some relatives may be missing from its records, for example where family members live abroad or couples cohabit without being married or registered partners, so the actual number of bereaved relatives may be higher.