The number of skilled migrant workers moving to the Netherlands fell by 18% in 2023 after 15 years of almost uninterrupted growth.

Altogether 21,510 people who arrived in the country from outside the EU and associated nations were classed as “knowledge migrants”, compared to 26,250 in 2022, according to CBS figures.

The only other year since 2004 that the figure declined was 2020, when coronavirus travel restrictions were in force.

The downward trend reflected a sharp reduction in the number of skilled workers arriving from India, Turkey and South Africa. Indians continue to be the largest group, with 4,520 new arrivals in 2023, twice as many as the number of Chinese, the next biggest group.

Since 2021 workers from the UK have had to meet the criteria under the Brexit rules, adding 1,125 skilled workers to the pile.

Student migration has continued to rise, with a record 22,995 non-EU students registering at Dutch universities and colleges in 2023, a rise of nearly 11%.

The new right-wing cabinet has pledged to tighten the entry criteria for knowledge migrants as part of its general commitment to implement the “most comprehensive package of measures ever to tackle migration”.

Pieter Omtzigt, leader of the NSC party, steered a motion through parliament last November to limit the 30% tax ruling, which has enabled companies to attract skilled migrants by exempting a share of their earnings from income tax.

A majority of MPs have since said they regret voting for the measure, which only applies to expats who meet strict criteria on their salary level and skill set.