Car mostly registered in man's name

Early 2011, half of over-18s had a car registered in their name. On paper, more men than women are registered as car owners. The difference is more obvious in older than in younger generations.

Gender gap closing

Half of over-18s had a passenger car registered in their name early 2011. Approximately two thirds of these persons are men, but the gender gap is smaller in younger generations. Among over-75s, nearly 4 times as many men as women have a car registered in their name: 66 percent of men versus 18 percent of women. The corresponding figures in the 18 to 25-year-old population are 25 and 17 percent respectively.

Car ownership by gender and age, 1 January 2011

Car more often registered in man’s name in childless couples

Half of single men in the Netherlands own a car, as against nearly 40 percent of single women. In couples living under the same roof, the difference between men and women is much bigger. In couples without children, nearly three quarters of men have a car registered in their name as opposed to 30 percent of women. In couples with children, the gender gap is somewhat smaller.

Car ownership by gender and position in the household, 1 January 2011

Marian Driessen and Paul de Winden