This section provides an overview of the number, characteristics, and housing situation of recognised refugees (status holders) in the Municipality of Utrecht, based on administrative data for 2024 and the beginning of 2025.
At the beginning of 2025, a total of 2,767 status holders were registered in Utrecht. The largest nationality group consists of Syrians, who account for approximately 40% of all status holders. Other significant groups include individuals with Afghan and Eritrean nationality, each representing around 8%. In addition to recognised refugees, Utrecht has hosted a substantial number of displaced persons from Ukraine since 2022. As of early 2025, more than 1,400 Ukrainian displaced persons were registered in the Personal Records Database (BRP) of the municipality.
Demographic characteristics
Among the 2,767 status holders registered at the beginning of 2025, 60% are men and 40% are women. The population is relatively young: 68% are between 15 and 45 years old, 15% are younger than 15, and 17% are aged 45 or older. These figures reflect the age and gender composition typical of recently arrived refugee populations.
Spatial distribution within the city
Status holders are unevenly distributed across Utrecht’s districts. The highest concentrations are found in Overvecht (24%), Zuid (15%), and Zuidwest (14%). By contrast, districts such as Binnenstad, Oost, Noordoost, Leidsche Rijn, and Vleuten-De Meern together account for a considerably smaller share, representing approximately 23% of the total number of status holders.
Housing of status holders
Table 1 presents key figures on the housing of status holders in Utrecht for 2023 and 2024. On January 1st, 2024, Utrecht registered 2,738 status holders, compared to 2,659 one year earlier. The number of status holders with a temporary residence permit increased between 2023 and 2024, while the number with a permanent residence permit slightly decreased.
In 2024, Utrecht was required to house 977 status holders, including the existing backlog. However, only 659 individuals were housed during the year, falling short of the target. As a result, the housing backlog increased from a surplus of 116 places in 2023 to a deficit of 244 places at the beginning of 2024.
| Key Figures | 2023 | 2024 |
| Number of status holders/recognized refugees in Utrecht on January 1* | 2659 | 2738 |
| Number of status holders with temporary residence permit* | 2048 | 2169 |
| Number of status holders with permanent residence permit* | 611 | 569 |
| Backlog in housing assignment on January 1** | -116 | 244 |
| Housing assignment target for status holders (excl. backlog/surplus)** | 792 | 733 |
| Number of status holders to be housed (incl. backlog)** | 676 | 977 |
| Number of housed status holders** | 434 | 659 |
* Source: BRP (Personal Records Database) of the municipality of Utrecht
** Source: COA: Centraal Orgaan opvang asielzoekers, in English: Central Agency for the Reception of Asylum Seekers
Source: Utrecht Monitor – Municipality of Utrecht. Available at: https://utrecht-monitor.nl/bevolking-bestuur/bevolking/vluchtelingen
