Labour participation; attachment to the labour market, 2003-2022

Table explanation

Description topics

Not employed labour force

People who don't have paid work.

This definition concerns people who live in the Netherlands (excluding the institutionalized population). The figures are usually presented for the population aged 15 to 74 years old. The non-employed population consists of the unemployed labour force and the people not in the labour force. Paid work is regardless of the hours worked.

Not in the labour force

People who don’t have paid work, who haven’t recently looked for work recently or are not directly available for it.

This definition concerns people who live in the Netherlands (excluding the institutionalized population). The figures are usually presented for the population aged 15 to 74 years old. Paid work is regardless of the hours worked.

Available to work, but not seeking

Person is directly available for work, but hasn’t recently looked for work.

Because of discouragement

Person is directly available for work, but hasn’t recently looked for work because they expect little result.

Up to and including 2014, it was assumed that for people who do not want to work for 12 hours or more a week and who report a certain reason for this, the same reason applies if they wanted to work less than 12 hours a week but did not look for work. The questionnaire has now been adapted so that the respondent can also report another reason not to look for work for less than 12 hours a week. The group that reports discouragement as the reason for not looking for work, therefore, appears to be larger in size than before and the remaining group that has not looked for work for other reasons is therefore (equally) lower.

Because of other reason

Person is directly available for work, but hasn’t recently looked for work because of other reason than expecting little result.

Up to and including 2014, it was assumed that for people who do not want to work for 12 hours or more a week and who report a certain reason for this, the same reason applies if they wanted to work less than 12 hours a week but did not look for work. The questionnaire has now been adapted so that the respondent can also report another reason not to look for work for less than 12 hours a week. The group that reports discouragement as the reason for not looking for work, therefore, appears to be larger in size than before and the remaining group that has not looked for work for other reasons is therefore (equally) lower.

Not seeking work, not available

Person is not directly available for work and also hasn’t recently looked for work.

Doesn’t want to or can’t work

Person is not directly available for work, hasn’t recently looked for work and also doesn’t want to or can’t have paid work.

Because of family/household care

Person is not directly available for work, hasn’t recently looked for work and also doesn’t want to or can’t have paid work because of the care for family or household.

Because of education

Person is not directly available for work, hasn’t recently looked for work and also doesn’t want to or can’t have paid work because of education.

Because of retirement/old age

Person is not directly available for work, hasn’t recently looked for work and also doesn’t want to or can’t have paid work because of (early) retirement or old age.

Because of illness/disability

Person is not directly available for work, hasn’t recently looked for work and also doesn’t want to or can’t have paid work because of an illness or disability.

Because of other reason

Person is not directly available for work, hasn’t recently looked for work and also doesn’t want to or can’t have paid work because of another reason.