As Suriname marks 50 years of independence this November, the enduring ties between the two nations are clearly reflected in the demographics of the Netherlands [[1]]. While Surinamese migrants-over 250,000 since 1975 [[3]]-initially settled in cities like Amsterdam, a significant population shift has occurred. New data reveals that Almere is now home to the largest concentration of people of Surinamese heritage in the country, representing 11.5% of its residents, a figure more than five times the national average [[2]].
Almere, Netherlands, is home to the largest proportion of residents with Surinamese heritage in the country, according to recent data. The concentration of people born in Suriname or with at least one Surinamese parent is significantly higher there than the national average, offering a glimpse into the country’s evolving demographics.
Nationally, approximately 2 percent of the population was born in Suriname or has Surinamese ancestry. However, in Almere, that figure rises to 11.5 percent, according to statistics released by the Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS).
Lelystad also has a relatively large Surinamese population, with 7 percent of its residents having Surinamese roots. Other municipalities in the Flevoland province have percentages below the national average, with Urk reporting the lowest at just 0.08 percent.
Major cities like The Hague and Rotterdam also show above-average concentrations of Surinamese residents, both at 8 percent, while Amsterdam accounts for 7 percent.
A History of Migration
The migration of Surinamese people to the Netherlands began in earnest following Suriname’s independence from the Netherlands on November 25, 1975. Over a quarter of a million Surinamese citizens have since emigrated to the Netherlands.
Initially, Amsterdam was the primary destination for these new arrivals. In 1995, 10 percent of Amsterdam’s population identified as having Surinamese heritage, compared to 5 percent in Almere at that time.
Over the years, a noticeable shift occurred, with many Surinamese residents relocating from Amsterdam to Almere. A 2015 CBS census revealed that Almere’s Surinamese population had grown to 11 percent.
This year marks the 50th anniversary of Suriname’s independence, an occasion being widely celebrated in both the Netherlands and Suriname. The demographic shifts reflect a continuing connection between the two nations.
