Labour participation; attachment to the labour market

Changed on: 26/03/2025 02:00

Labour participation; attachment to the labour market
Sex	Personal characteristics	Registered employment UWV	Periods	Labour force and not in the labour force (x 1.000)	Employed labour force Employed labour force (x 1.000)	Employed labour force Want to work more hours, available (x 1.000)	Employed labour force Doesn’t want more hours or not available (x 1.000)	Not employed labour force Not employed labour force (x 1.000)	Not employed labour force Unemployed labour force Unemployed labour force (x 1.000)	Not employed labour force Not in the labour force Not in the labour force (x 1.000)	Not employed labour force Not in the labour force Available to work, but not seeking Available to work, but not seeking (x 1.000)	Not employed labour force Not in the labour force Available to work, but not seeking Because of discouragement (x 1.000)	Not employed labour force Not in the labour force Available to work, but not seeking Because of other reason (x 1.000)	Not employed labour force Not in the labour force Seeking work, but not available (x 1.000)	Not employed labour force Not in the labour force Not seeking work, not available Not seeking work, not available (x 1.000)	Not employed labour force Not in the labour force Not seeking work, not available Doesn’t want to or can’t work Because of family/household care (x 1.000)	Not employed labour force Not in the labour force Not seeking work, not available Doesn’t want to or can’t work Because of education (x 1.000)	Not employed labour force Not in the labour force Not seeking work, not available Doesn’t want to or can’t work Because of retirement/old age (x 1.000)	Not employed labour force Not in the labour force Not seeking work, not available Doesn’t want to or can’t work Because of illness/disability (x 1.000)	Not employed labour force Not in the labour force Not seeking work, not available Doesn’t want to or can’t work Because of other reason (x 1.000)
Total male and female	Total persons	Total	2024	13,387	9,798	510	9,288	3,590	372	3,217	179	17	162	105	2,933	261	289	1,448	852	82
Total male and female	Total persons	Registered at an employment office	2024	968	328	32	295	640	117	523	28	2	25	41	455	40	41	26	323	25
Total male and female	Total persons	Registered at UWV, with WW benefit	2024	165	78	10	68	88	52	35	4	0	4	12	19	2	2	4	10	2
Total male and female	Total persons	Registered at UWV, no WW benefit	2024	803	250	22	228	553	65	488	23	2	21	29	436	38	39	23	313	23
Total male and female	Total persons	Not registered at an employment office	2024	12,420	9,470	477	8,993	2,950	255	2,694	151	15	137	65	2,478	221	248	1,422	529	58
Total male and female	Age: 15 to 24 years	Total	2024	2,175	1,653	254	1,400	522	157	364	68	2	66	31	265	4	218	0	31	13
Total male and female	Age: 15 to 24 years	Registered at an employment office	2024	53	19	2	17	34	9	25	2	0	2	2	22	1	10	0	9	1
Total male and female	Age: 15 to 24 years	Registered at UWV, with WW benefit	2024	7	3	0	3	3	2	1	0	0	0	0	1	0	0	0	0	0
Total male and female	Age: 15 to 24 years	Registered at UWV, no WW benefit	2024	46	15	2	14	31	7	24	2	0	2	2	21	1	10	0	9	1
Total male and female	Age: 15 to 24 years	Not registered at an employment office	2024	2,122	1,634	251	1,383	488	148	339	67	2	65	29	244	3	208	0	22	11
Total male and female	Age: 25 to 44 years	Total	2024	4,556	3,980	137	3,843	576	125	451	35	2	34	40	376	96	60	0	197	23
Total male and female	Age: 25 to 44 years	Registered at an employment office	2024	408	168	16	152	240	56	184	13	1	13	20	151	23	25	0	94	10
Total male and female	Age: 25 to 44 years	Registered at UWV, with WW benefit	2024	72	35	4	31	37	23	14	2	0	2	5	6	1	1	0	3	1
Total male and female	Age: 25 to 44 years	Registered at UWV, no WW benefit	2024	336	132	12	120	204	33	171	11	1	11	15	145	22	24	0	91	9
Total male and female	Age: 25 to 44 years	Not registered at an employment office	2024	4,148	3,812	121	3,691	336	69	267	22	1	21	19	225	73	36	0	103	13
Total male and female	Age: 25 to 34 years	Total	2024	2,356	2,064	75	1,989	292	75	217	19	1	18	22	176	35	46	0	82	13
Total male and female	Age: 25 to 34 years	Registered at an employment office	2024	196	81	8	72	115	29	86	7	0	7	10	70	10	15	0	39	5
Total male and female	Age: 25 to 34 years	Registered at UWV, with WW benefit	2024	33	15	2	14	18	11	6	1	0	1	3	3	0	0	0	2	0
Total male and female	Age: 25 to 34 years	Registered at UWV, no WW benefit	2024	162	65	7	59	97	17	80	6	0	5	7	67	10	15	0	37	4
Total male and female	Age: 25 to 34 years	Not registered at an employment office	2024	2,161	1,983	67	1,916	177	46	131	12	1	12	13	106	24	30	0	43	8
Total male and female	Age: 35 to 44 years	Total	2024	2,200	1,916	62	1,854	284	50	234	16	1	15	17	200	61	15	0	114	10
Total male and female	Age: 35 to 44 years	Registered at an employment office	2024	212	87	8	79	125	27	98	6	0	6	11	81	12	9	0	55	5
Total male and female	Age: 35 to 44 years	Registered at UWV, with WW benefit	2024	39	20	2	18	19	12	7	1	0	1	3	3	1	0	0	2	1
Total male and female	Age: 35 to 44 years	Registered at UWV, no WW benefit	2024	174	67	6	62	107	16	91	5	0	5	8	78	12	9	0	53	4
Total male and female	Age: 35 to 44 years	Not registered at an employment office	2024	1,987	1,829	54	1,775	158	23	136	10	1	9	7	119	49	5	0	60	5
Total male and female	Age: 45 to 74 years	Total	2024	6,657	4,165	119	4,046	2,492	90	2,402	75	13	62	35	2,291	161	11	1,448	624	47
Total male and female	Age: 45 to 74 years	Registered at an employment office	2024	507	141	14	127	366	52	313	13	2	11	19	282	16	6	26	220	14
Total male and female	Age: 45 to 74 years	Registered at UWV, with WW benefit	2024	87	39	6	33	48	27	21	2	0	2	6	12	1	0	4	6	1
Total male and female	Age: 45 to 74 years	Registered at UWV, no WW benefit	2024	420	102	8	94	318	25	293	11	2	9	13	270	15	6	23	214	13
Total male and female	Age: 45 to 74 years	Not registered at an employment office	2024	6,150	4,024	105	3,918	2,126	38	2,088	62	11	51	17	2,009	145	5	1,422	404	33
Total male and female	Age: 45 to 54 years	Total	2024	2,248	1,933	60	1,872	316	36	279	16	3	13	15	249	42	7	2	185	12
Total male and female	Age: 45 to 54 years	Registered at an employment office	2024	202	72	7	65	131	20	110	5	1	5	9	96	7	5	1	79	5
Total male and female	Age: 45 to 54 years	Registered at UWV, with WW benefit	2024	35	18	3	15	17	10	7	1	0	1	3	3	0	0	0	3	0
Total male and female	Age: 45 to 54 years	Registered at UWV, no WW benefit	2024	167	53	4	49	114	11	103	4	0	4	7	93	7	4	1	76	5
Total male and female	Age: 45 to 54 years	Not registered at an employment office	2024	2,046	1,861	53	1,808	185	16	169	11	2	9	5	152	35	3	2	106	7
Total male and female	Age: 55 to 64 years	Total	2024	2,453	1,847	47	1,801	606	42	564	19	4	15	13	532	81	3	106	318	23
Total male and female	Age: 55 to 64 years	Registered at an employment office	2024	248	62	6	56	186	28	158	6	1	5	8	144	7	2	7	122	7
Total male and female	Age: 55 to 64 years	Registered at UWV, with WW benefit	2024	43	19	3	17	24	16	8	1	0	1	3	5	0	0	1	3	1
Total male and female	Age: 55 to 64 years	Registered at UWV, no WW benefit	2024	205	43	4	39	162	12	150	5	1	4	5	139	7	1	7	119	6
Total male and female	Age: 55 to 64 years	Not registered at an employment office	2024	2,205	1,785	41	1,745	420	14	406	14	3	10	5	388	74	2	99	197	17
Total male and female	Age: 65 to 74 years	Total	2024	1,955	385	12	373	1,570	12	1,558	39	6	33	7	1,511	39	1	1,339	121	11
Total male and female	Age: 65 to 74 years	Registered at an employment office	2024	57	7	1	6	49	4	45	2	1	1	2	42	2	0	18	19	2
Total male and female	Age: 65 to 74 years	Registered at UWV, with WW benefit	2024	9	1	0	1	7	2	6	0	0	0	1	4	1	0	3	1	0
Total male and female	Age: 65 to 74 years	Registered at UWV, no WW benefit	2024	48	6	1	5	42	2	40	1	1	1	1	38	2	0	15	19	2
Total male and female	Age: 65 to 74 years	Not registered at an employment office	2024	1,899	377	11	366	1,521	8	1,513	38	6	32	6	1,469	37	1	1,321	101	9
Total male and female	1 Primary, lower secondary	Total	2024	3,440	1,972	161	1,811	1,468	125	1,343	74	5	69	35	1,234	109	138	570	380	37
Total male and female	1 Primary, lower secondary	Registered at an employment office	2024	385	103	9	95	282	30	252	12	1	11	14	227	24	19	13	157	14
Total male and female	1 Primary, lower secondary	Registered at UWV, with WW benefit	2024	36	15	2	13	21	9	12	1	0	1	3	8	1	0	1	5	1
Total male and female	1 Primary, lower secondary	Registered at UWV, no WW benefit	2024	349	88	7	81	261	21	240	11	1	10	11	219	23	19	12	152	14
Total male and female	1 Primary, lower secondary	Not registered at an employment office	2024	3,055	1,869	152	1,716	1,186	96	1,091	62	4	58	21	1,008	85	119	557	223	23
Total male and female	2 Upper secondary	Total	2024	4,913	3,688	202	3,487	1,225	128	1,097	56	6	50	36	1,006	85	100	481	316	23
Total male and female	2 Upper secondary	Registered at an employment office	2024	343	123	13	110	220	41	179	9	1	8	15	155	10	12	8	118	6
Total male and female	2 Upper secondary	Registered at UWV, with WW benefit	2024	61	31	4	26	31	18	13	2	0	2	4	7	1	1	2	3	1
Total male and female	2 Upper secondary	Registered at UWV, no WW benefit	2024	282	92	9	83	189	23	166	7	1	6	10	148	10	11	7	115	6
Total male and female	2 Upper secondary	Not registered at an employment office	2024	4,570	3,565	188	3,377	1,005	86	919	47	5	41	21	851	75	88	472	198	16
Total male and female	3 Tertiary	Total	2024	4,957	4,097	146	3,951	860	118	742	48	6	43	34	660	62	50	387	141	21
Total male and female	3 Tertiary	Registered at an employment office	2024	225	98	10	88	127	45	82	6	1	6	12	64	5	9	5	41	4
Total male and female	3 Tertiary	Registered at UWV, with WW benefit	2024	67	32	4	28	35	25	10	1	0	1	4	4	0	1	1	2	1
Total male and female	3 Tertiary	Registered at UWV, no WW benefit	2024	158	67	6	61	91	20	72	5	1	4	7	59	5	8	4	39	3
Total male and female	3 Tertiary	Not registered at an employment office	2024	4,732	3,999	136	3,863	733	73	660	42	5	37	22	596	56	41	383	99	17
Total male and female	Level of educ: unknown	Total	2024	77	40	1	39	37	2	35	1	0	1	1	33	5	1	10	15	1
Total male and female	Level of educ: unknown	Registered at an employment office	2024	14	3	0	3	11	1	10	0	0	0	0	9	1	1	0	7	1
Total male and female	Level of educ: unknown	Registered at UWV, with WW benefit	2024	1	0	0	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Total male and female	Level of educ: unknown	Registered at UWV, no WW benefit	2024	14	3	0	2	11	1	10	0	0	0	0	9	1	1	0	7	1
Total male and female	Level of educ: unknown	Not registered at an employment office	2024	63	37	1	36	26	1	25	1	0	0	0	24	5	0	10	8	1
Male	Total persons	Total	2024	6,694	5,167	205	4,962	1,526	187	1,339	100	8	92	51	1,188	26	145	643	335	38
Male	Total persons	Registered at an employment office	2024	462	176	15	161	286	63	223	16	2	15	21	186	6	20	12	134	14
Male	Total persons	Registered at UWV, with WW benefit	2024	84	41	3	38	43	26	17	2	0	2	5	9	0	0	2	5	1
Male	Total persons	Registered at UWV, no WW benefit	2024	378	135	11	123	243	37	206	14	2	13	15	177	5	20	10	129	13
Male	Total persons	Not registered at an employment office	2024	6,232	4,992	191	4,801	1,240	124	1,116	84	6	78	31	1,001	21	125	631	200	25
Male	Age: 15 to 24 years	Total	2024	1,105	838	127	711	267	81	186	38	1	37	16	132	1	113	0	11	6
Male	Age: 15 to 24 years	Registered at an employment office	2024	26	11	1	10	16	5	10	1	0	1	1	9	0	4	0	3	1
Male	Age: 15 to 24 years	Registered at UWV, with WW benefit	2024	4	2	0	1	2	1	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Male	Age: 15 to 24 years	Registered at UWV, no WW benefit	2024	23	9	1	8	14	4	10	1	0	1	1	8	0	4	0	3	1
Male	Age: 15 to 24 years	Not registered at an employment office	2024	1,079	828	126	701	251	76	175	37	1	37	14	123	1	109	0	8	6
Male	Age: 25 to 44 years	Total	2024	2,294	2,087	44	2,043	207	59	148	17	1	16	17	115	5	27	0	71	12
Male	Age: 25 to 44 years	Registered at an employment office	2024	192	90	8	82	102	30	72	7	0	7	10	56	2	12	0	36	6
Male	Age: 25 to 44 years	Registered at UWV, with WW benefit	2024	34	18	1	17	16	11	5	1	0	1	2	3	0	0	0	2	0
Male	Age: 25 to 44 years	Registered at UWV, no WW benefit	2024	158	72	7	65	86	19	67	6	0	6	8	53	2	12	0	34	5
Male	Age: 25 to 44 years	Not registered at an employment office	2024	2,102	1,997	36	1,960	105	30	76	10	0	9	7	59	3	15	0	34	6
Male	Age: 25 to 34 years	Total	2024	1,193	1,076	29	1,047	117	37	80	10	0	9	10	60	1	22	0	31	6
Male	Age: 25 to 34 years	Registered at an employment office	2024	95	44	4	40	51	15	35	4	0	4	5	27	0	8	0	16	3
Male	Age: 25 to 34 years	Registered at UWV, with WW benefit	2024	15	8	0	7	8	5	2	0	0	0	1	1	0	0	0	1	0
Male	Age: 25 to 34 years	Registered at UWV, no WW benefit	2024	80	37	4	33	43	10	33	3	0	3	4	25	0	8	0	15	2
Male	Age: 25 to 34 years	Not registered at an employment office	2024	1,098	1,032	25	1,006	66	21	45	6	0	6	5	33	1	14	0	15	3
Male	Age: 35 to 44 years	Total	2024	1,102	1,011	15	996	91	22	68	7	0	7	7	55	4	5	0	40	6
Male	Age: 35 to 44 years	Registered at an employment office	2024	97	46	4	42	51	14	37	3	0	3	5	29	1	4	0	21	3
Male	Age: 35 to 44 years	Registered at UWV, with WW benefit	2024	19	11	1	10	9	5	3	0	0	0	1	2	0	0	0	1	0
Male	Age: 35 to 44 years	Registered at UWV, no WW benefit	2024	78	35	3	32	43	9	34	3	0	3	4	28	1	4	0	20	3
Male	Age: 35 to 44 years	Not registered at an employment office	2024	1,005	965	11	954	39	8	31	4	0	4	2	25	2	1	0	19	3
Male	Age: 45 to 74 years	Total	2024	3,294	2,242	34	2,208	1,052	47	1,005	46	7	39	18	941	20	4	643	253	20
Male	Age: 45 to 74 years	Registered at an employment office	2024	243	75	6	69	168	28	140	9	1	7	10	122	4	4	12	95	7
Male	Age: 45 to 74 years	Registered at UWV, with WW benefit	2024	46	21	2	19	25	14	11	1	0	1	3	6	0	0	2	3	0
Male	Age: 45 to 74 years	Registered at UWV, no WW benefit	2024	197	54	4	50	143	14	129	7	1	6	6	116	4	4	10	91	7
Male	Age: 45 to 74 years	Not registered at an employment office	2024	3,051	2,167	28	2,139	884	19	865	37	5	32	9	819	17	1	631	158	13
Male	Age: 45 to 54 years	Total	2024	1,113	994	12	982	119	16	103	6	1	6	6	90	6	3	1	75	6
Male	Age: 45 to 54 years	Registered at an employment office	2024	94	36	3	33	58	10	48	3	0	3	4	41	1	3	0	34	3
Male	Age: 45 to 54 years	Registered at UWV, with WW benefit	2024	18	10	1	9	8	5	3	1	0	1	1	1	0	0	0	1	0
Male	Age: 45 to 54 years	Registered at UWV, no WW benefit	2024	76	26	2	24	50	5	45	2	0	2	3	39	1	3	0	32	3
Male	Age: 45 to 54 years	Not registered at an employment office	2024	1,019	959	10	949	61	6	55	3	0	3	2	49	4	0	1	41	3
Source: CBS.

Explanation of symbols

Table explanation

This table contains quarterly and yearly figures on labour participation in the Netherlands. The population of 15 to 74 years of age (excluding the institutionalized population) is divided into the employed labour force, the unemployed labour force and those not in the labour force. The employed labour force is subdivided on the basis of the professional status, and the average working hours. A division by sex, age and level of education is available.

Data available from: 2013

Status of the figures:
The figures in this table are final.

Changes as of February 14, 2025:
The figures for the fourth quarter and the year 2024 have been added.

Changes as of August 23, 2022:
None, this is a new table. This table has been compiled on the basis of the Labor Force Survey (LFS). Due to changes in the research design and the questionnaire of the LFS, the figures for 2021 are not automatically comparable with the figures up to and including 2020. The key figures in this table have therefore been made consistent with the (non-seasonally adjusted) figures in the table Arbeidsdeelname, kerncijfers seizoengecorrigeerd (see section 4), in which the outcomes for the period 2013-2020 have been recalculated to align with the outcomes from 2021. When further detailing the outcomes according to job and personal characteristics, there may nevertheless be differences from 2020 to 2021 as a result of the new method.

When will new figures be released?
New figures will be published in May 2025.

Description topics

Labour force and not in the labour force

People who are part of the employed labour force, the unemployed labour force or who are not in the labour force.

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.

Employed labour force

People who 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. Paid work is regardless of the hours worked.

Employed labour force: People who 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. Paid work is regardless of the hours worked.

Want to work more hours, available: This group consists of people who work part-time (less than 35 hours a week) in their first job and want to work more hours within six months, assuming that their earnings also change. They are immediately available for this. The comparable term used by Eurostat is underemployed.

Up to and including 2012 it was assumed that people who work 12 hours or more a week and want to work more hours, cannot start within two weeks. This group was therefore not asked if they could start within two weeks. The questionnaire has now been adjusted so that the respondent will receive this question. The number of people that can start within two weeks is therefore greater than before and the remaining part of the employed labour force that does not want to work more hours or is not available, is therefore (equally) lower.

Doesn’t want more hours or not available: This group consists of people:
- who work full-time (35 hours or more a week) in their first job;
- who work part-time (less than 35 hours a week) in their first job and do not want to work more hours within six months (assuming that their earnings also change);
- who work part-time (less than 35 hours a week) in their first job, want to work more hours within six months, but are not immediately available for this;

Up to and including 2012 it was assumed that people who work 12 hours or more a week and want to work more hours, cannot start within two weeks. This group was therefore not asked if they could start within two weeks. The questionnaire has now been adjusted so that the respondent will receive this question. The number of people that can start within two weeks is therefore greater than before and the remaining part of the employed labour force that does not want to work more hours or is not available, is therefore (equally) lower.

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 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.

Unemployed labour force

People who don’t have paid work, recently looked for work and are 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.

Unemployed labour force: People who don’t have paid work, recently looked for work and are 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.

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.

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.

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.

Seeking work, but not available: Person is not directly available for work, but has recently looked for work.

Not seeking work, not available

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

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.