HCSS Report: Migration Seen as Primary Societal Threat by Dutch Public (hcss.nl)

• Migration surpasses war and economy as top threat perception in the Netherlands.
• Negative sentiment driven by accumulation of migration types and perceived political stagnation.
• Over half of respondents combine migration concerns with distrust in government.

"A new HCSS Focus report finds that migration is structurally viewed by many Dutch citizens as the most important societal threat, surpassing war and economic uncertainties. Based on data from over 18,000 participants in the HCSS Public Monitor (2025/26), the analysis shows that concerns are strongly intertwined with distrust in government. Researchers warn that the visible accumulation of labor, study, family, and asylum migration, combined with perceived political stagnation, fuels a sense of loss of control and administrative powerlessness, risking further societal hardening if not addressed with transparent and feasible policy."