Autochtoon

Autochtoon is a term used in Dutch to describe a person of native, long-established origin in the Netherlands or in Dutch-speaking regions. The word is derived from the Greek autochthonos, meaning self-born or indigenous.

In statistical and policy contexts in the Netherlands, autochtoon is typically defined as someone born in the Netherlands whose parents were also born in the Netherlands. By contrast, allochtoon refers to a person with at least one parent born outside the Netherlands. Definitions and their use have varied over time and across institutions, which has contributed to debates about identity and inclusion.

The term has been criticized for implying essentialist or exclusionary notions of culture and belonging, especially in discussions about migration and integration. Because of concerns about labeling and accuracy, Dutch public institutions and researchers have increasingly moved toward language such as “person with a migration background” to describe individuals who do not meet the autochtoon criteria. Despite this shift, autochtoon and allochtoon continue to appear in media, academic writing, and certain policy discussions, where they are used to describe perceived origins or social positioning rather than to determine individual identity.

In Belgium, the term is used less widely and mainly appears in Dutch-language contexts. Its connotations and definitions are similar to those in the Netherlands but can vary by region and discourse.

See also: allochtoon, migration background, demography.