Number of expats in Cool Region set to increase by a third in five years
In the coming five years, the number of international knowledge workers in the City Region of Arnhem and Nijmegen will increase by a third up to a total of around 2,200 expats. The majority of these expats works on a temporary contract an will not stay for more than five years. Expatriates are positive about the town centres and green possibilities. But they are also critical.
They would like better information about housing, procedures and social possibilities. There is also a need for more, better and affordable housing. That is what the results of a needs assessment among expats working in the City Region show.
It is becoming increasingly important for companies in the area to recruit highly-educated foreign staff (expatriates). The local councils of Arnhem and Nijmegen, and the council of the City region Arnhem Nijmegen have therefore commisioned research into the backgrounds, wishes and needs of this group.
The region is currently home to about 1600 expats. Nijmegen accommodates 850 expats, while Arnhem has 150 and about 600 live in the remainder of the area (including the towns of Oss, Wageningen and Boxmeer). 60% of these expats is male. Over 80% has a university education. They mainly opt for a job in this area for the actual contents of the work on offer. Over 60% is under 40 years old. A quarter of them lives together with a partner and children. Half of all expats surveyed sends their children to a Dutch primary school, with a third sending theirs to the Arnhem International School.
Particulary striking is the high turnaround among expats. One fifth of respondents does nog stay in the area for longer than two years, with a third staying between two and five years. Over half works on a temporary contract. In the coming five years the number of expats in the City region is expected to grow to about 2,200.
