The Netherlands is home to approximately 17.9 million people, making it one of the most densely populated countries in Europe and the world (excluding microstates). The population is highly urbanized, with the majority concentrated in the Randstad, a heavily populated megalopolis in the west that encompasses Amsterdam, Rotterdam, The Hague, and Utrecht.
The demographic makeup of the Netherlands is diverse, a result of its history of global trade, former colonies, and modern immigration policies. While the majority of the population is ethnically Dutch, there are large communities of people with Turkish, Moroccan, Surinamese, Indonesian, and Caribbean heritage.
The country is notable for being highly secular; over half of the population does not affiliate with any religion. Among those who do, Roman Catholicism and various Protestant denominations are the most common, alongside a significant Muslim population. The Dutch workforce is highly educated, and the country boasts low unemployment rates and a high median income.
