The growth in the size of the Dutch population is slowly grinding to a halt, although migration remains an uncertain factor, according to a new report for the environment assessment agency.

At the same time, the population map will become more skewed towards the elderly and there will be a sharp increase in older people living alone. This will require more housing, the agency says.

The population of the Netherlands reached 16,815,238 on Thursday, the agency said.

Other trends highlighted in the report include the office and retail property markets, which will remain a problem with high vacancy rates.

In terms of transport, electric cars are not likely to become fully fledged competitors for petrol, gas and lpg-powerd vehicles, the agency said.