One in ten people work at or from home

Last year, 2.5 percent the Dutch employed population worked at home on a regular basis. It concerned foster parents, computer programmers or journalists. Another 8 percent, e.g. salesmen and consultants, operated from home.

Nearly 765 thousand people work at or from home on a regular basis

The employed labour force of the Netherlands comprised more than 7.4 million people. Over 10 percent – nearly 765 thousand people – worked at or from home. Nearly 185 thousand people worked at home on a regular basis. Another 580 thousand persons used their homes as an operating base.

People working at and from home, share in the employed labour force, 2008

Working at home does not require many facilities

Most people working at home were engaged in child care, e.g. foster parents, followed by computer programmers and graphic designers. Other frequent at-home workers are beauticians, journalists and translators. It is relatively easy for people active in these professions to work at home, because an extensive level of facilities is not required.

Top 10 home workers, 2008

Salesmen often work from home

Salesman is the most common occupation among people working from home. At home they often make preparations for business appointments. Other professionals frequently operating from home are consultants, project advisors and building contractors.

Top 10 home-based occupations, 2008

Lian Kösters and Kasper Leufkens