Overview
- Retention within the North is high: 85% of Groningen-raised youth, 79% of those from Friesland, and 77% from Drenthe still live in the North at 28.
- Nationally, about 85% of young adults remain in their original landsdeel and roughly 75% stay in their home province by 28.
- Same-province retention diverges: 77% for Groningen, 58% for Drenthe, and 68% for Friesland, leaving Drenthe and Friesland below the national provincial average.
- The share of 28-year-olds living in their childhood municipality has slipped to below half, a trend researchers cannot yet explain and tentatively link to housing pressures.
- Urban and education patterns stand out: the city of Groningen retains 64% of its native youth and keeps a net 10–15% of former students, while university graduates are the most likely to move away and rarely return.