Part-time jobs in private sector also increasing
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The share of part-time jobs in total employment rose from 40 to 46 percent in the period 1995-2003. The increase in part-time jobs was found in all sectors and applied to both men and women. Even in the period 2001-2003, when employment growth declined, the amount of part-time jobs grew. Internationally, the Netherlands has been at the forefront for years as far as part-time working is concerned.
Employment 1995-2003
In the period 1995-2003 the annual increase in jobs averaged 2.2 percent. In this period two stages can be distinguished. In the period 1995-2001 employment increased across the board, whereas in the period 2001-2003 the increase in the number of jobs almost completely came to a halt. The number of jobs only rose in the public sector but these were mainly part-time jobs. In the private sector employment declined.
Full-time and part-time jobs by sector
Sharp increase in part-time jobs in the private sector until 2001
The amount of part-time jobs in the private sector grew by no less than 5.5 percent annually in the period 1995-2001. Full-time jobs rose by just 1.8 percent. In the public sector the amount of part-time jobs also grew more rapidly than the amount of full-time jobs.
Decrease in full-time jobs in the private sector from 2001
In the period 2001-2003 the annual decrease in the number of full-time jobs averaged 2.5 percent, whereas the number of part-time jobs remained more or less the same.
The number of part-time jobs in the public sector annually increased by over 6 percent, whereas the number of full-time jobs remained virtually unchanged.
Share part-time jobs by economic activity
Health care has the largest number of part-time jobs, totalling 77 percent in 2003. Typically, there are more part-time jobs in the public sector than in the private sector, though there are exceptions, for example in hotels and restaurants (72 percent of all jobs), business services (49 percent) and trade (47 percent).
Full-time and part-time jobs by sex
More part-time jobs for both men and women
The increase in part-time jobs for men and women was found in the period 1995-2001 as well as in the period 2001-2003. In the period 2001-2003 the number of full-time jobs declined but the number of part-time jobs increased for both sexes. So the increase in the number of part-time jobs was not brought to a halt in this period of reduced employment growth.
Hans Langenberg