More than half a million Dutch households lived in energy poverty in 2024. That is an increase of 180,000 households. People in energy poverty have a low income, live in poorly insulated homes and have difficulty paying rising prices for electricity and gas.
The sharp increase is evident from provisional figures from Statistics Agency CBS and research agency TNO. More than 6 percent of all Dutch households are struggling with the gas and power bill. That is around 510,000 homes. Another 1 million households run the risk of not being able to pay the energy costs if prices rise rapidly such as in 2022.
The increasing energy poverty is no surprise for Statistics Netherlands and TNO. The average energy prices are still high and last year the financial government support stopped.
In 2022 and 2023 the prices for power and gas exploded. Households with a narrow exhibition were then able to apply for an energy supplement. The scheme stopped in 2024, just like the price ceiling for gas and light, which the government had established in 2023.
‘Energy poverty has fallen since 2019’
With the exception of 2022 and 2023, there has been a slow decrease in energy poverty. “Without the financial support of recent years, we would also see a decrease in the number of energy-poor households in 2024,” says TNO researcher Anika Batenburg. Moreover, energy prices were considerably lower in 2019.
The Dutch now earn more, but the progress also seals the research agencies to more energy awareness. Households use less gas, buy more economical devices and are more often insulated or have solar panels.
The electricity and gas costs rose faster than the low incomes last year. An average household paid 171 euros per month, energy -poor households 184 euros.
The latter group spent almost 12 percent of its average income on the power and gas bill. An increase of 4.5 percentage points and the highest percentage since CBS and TNO started their research in 2019.
Single people with pension or benefits often in energy poverty
The areas with the most energy-poor households remain the same as in 2023. Northeast Groningen, South Limburg and the cities of Rotterdam, The Hague, Almelo and Enschede experience the most energy poverty.
Singles who live on a pension or benefit in particular are represented in the energy -poor households. Because of their narrow stock exchange, they relatively often rent a corporation home.
The one million risk households are another target group that touches the CBS and TNO. They are not in energy poverty, but they are in danger of ending up when energy prices rise quickly again. These are households with a low middle income that have a poorly insulated home. Partly because of this, they are struggling with high energy costs.
In 2024, more than half a Million Dutch Households Lived in Energy Poverty. This is an increase of 180,000 households. People in Energy Poverty Have A Low Income, live in Poorly Insulated Homes and Have Difficulty Paying the Rising Prices for Electricity and Gas.
The Sharp Increase is evident from Provisional Figures from Statistics Netherlands (CBS) and Research Agency TNO. More than 6 percent of all Dutch households are struggling with their gas and electricity bills. That is about 510,000 homes. Another 1 Million Households Risk Not Being Able to Pay the Energy Costs If Prices Rise Rapidly AS in 2022.
The Increasing Energy Poverty is not a surprise for CBS and TNO. The Average Energy Prices Are Still High and Government Financial Support Stopped Last Year.
In 2022 and 2023, The Prices for Electricity and Gas Exploded. Households with a Small Budget Could Then Apply for An Energy Allowance. The Scheme Stopped in 2024, Just Like the Price Ceiling for Gas and Electricity, which had been introduced in 2023.
‘Energy Poverty Has Decreased Since 2019’
With the exception of 2022 and 2023, there has been a slow decline in households in energy poverty since 2019. “Without the financial support of recent years, we would also see a decrease in the number of energy-poring households batenburg. MoreOover, Energy Prices Were Considerly Lower in 2019.
Dutch People Now Earn More, But The Research Agencies also attribute the Progress to Greater Energy Awareness. Households use less gas, buy more economical appliances and are more of well insulated or have solar panels.
Electricity and Gas Costs Still Rose Faster Than Low Incomes Last Year. An Average Household paid 171 euros per month, Energy-Poor Households 184 euros.
The Latter Group spent Almost 12 percent of their Average Income on the Electricity and Gas Bill. An increase of 4.5 percentage points and the highest percentage Since CBS and TNO started their research in 2019.
Single People with a Pension or Benefit Often in Energy Poverty
The Areas with the Most Energy-Poor Households Remain the Same AS in 2023. Northast Groningen, South Limburg and the Cities of Rotterdam, The Hague, Almelo and Enschede Experience the Most Energy Poverty.
Single People who live on a guest pension or benefit are particularly represented in Energy-Poor Households. Due to Their Small Budget, They Relatively or Rent A Corporation House.
The One Million at-Risk Households Are Another Target Group That CBS and TNO Are Addressing. They are not in energy poverty, but are at risk of ending up there if energy prices rise rapidly again. These are households with a low middle income who have a poorly insulated home. Partly As A Result, They Struggle with High Energy Costs.