Decline in union membership in 55-64 age group, in particular
The percentage of workers who are trade union members increases with age until the 55-64 age group. Between 2018 and 2023, trade union membership declined the most in this age group: 25 percent of workers aged 55 to 64 were union members in 2023, compared with 31 percent in 2018. Among 45 to 54-year-olds, union membership dropped from 22 percent to 18 percent. It also decreased among the younger age groups, but to a lesser extent than in the older age groups. The average age of trade union members in 2023 was 47 years, compared to 40 years among non-members.
Union membership 2018-2023, by age group
Jaartal
15-24 yrs (%)
25-34 yrs (%)
35-44 yrs (%)
45-54 yrs (%)
55-64 yrs (%)
65-74 yrs (%)
2018
6.3
12.6
17.2
22.2
31.5
24.2
2019
6.6
12.4
17.0
21.7
30.7
25.7
2020
7.5
12.3
16.0
20.6
29.2
22.0
2021
6.2
12.4
15.8
20.3
28.1
25.4
2022
6.5
11.6
15.8
19.0
26.9
22.0
2023
5.6
11.5
14.6
18.4
24.7
22.0
Source: CBS, TNO
Union membership 2018-2023, by age group
Jaartal
15-24 yrs (%)
25-34 yrs (%)
35-44 yrs (%)
45-54 yrs (%)
55-64 yrs (%)
65-74 yrs (%)
2018
6.3
12.6
17.2
22.2
31.5
24.2
2019
6.6
12.4
17.0
21.7
30.7
25.7
2020
7.5
12.3
16.0
20.6
29.2
22.0
2021
6.2
12.4
15.8
20.3
28.1
25.4
2022
6.5
11.6
15.8
19.0
26.9
22.0
2023
5.6
11.5
14.6
18.4
24.7
22.0
Source: CBS, TNO
Unionisation is the highest in public administration and education
People who work in public administration were the most likely to be members of a trade untion, at 27 percent. The percentages were also relatively high in education (26 percent) and in transportation and storage (24 percent). On the other hand, those who work in information and communication were the least likely to be union members, at 6 percent. Relatively few workers in specialised business services (such as accountants, tax consultants, architects and engineers) and in accommodation and food services (both 7 percent) were trade union members.
Union membership among employees by sector, 2023
Bedrijfstak
Union membership (%)
Public administration and services
26.9
Education
25.9
Transportation and storage
23.5
Construction
20.0
Manufacturing
19.7
Energy supply
18.8
Health and welfare
18.3
Water utilities and waste management
15.9
Other services
14.7
Mining and quarrying
13.9
Financial services
12.5
Real estate activities
12.3
Culture, sports and recreation
10.2
Agriculture, forestry and fisheries
10.0
Rental and other business services
9.6
Trade
8.1
Accommodation and food services
7.1
Specialised business services
6.8
Information and communication
6.2
Source: CBS, TNO
Union membership among employees by sector, 2023
Bedrijfstak
Union membership (%)
Public administration and services
26.9
Education
25.9
Transportation and storage
23.5
Construction
20.0
Manufacturing
19.7
Energy supply
18.8
Health and welfare
18.3
Water utilities and waste management
15.9
Other services
14.7
Mining and quarrying
13.9
Financial services
12.5
Real estate activities
12.3
Culture, sports and recreation
10.2
Agriculture, forestry and fisheries
10.0
Rental and other business services
9.6
Trade
8.1
Accommodation and food services
7.1
Specialised business services
6.8
Information and communication
6.2
Source: CBS, TNO
Employees of larger organisations relatively more likely to be union members
Union membership is higher among those working in larger organisations than among employees of smaller firms. Among employees working in firms that employ 1 to 5 people, 9 percent were union members, while in firms with 1,000 or more employees the share was 20 percent.
In 2023, employees on permanent contracts were twice as likely to be union members as those who worked in flexible employment: 18 percent versus 9 percent. Furthermore, workers covered by a collective labour agreement (19 percent) were much more likely to be union members than those without a collective labour agreement (7 percent).
Union membership, by size of organisation, 2023
Bedrijfsgrootte
Union membership (%)
1-4 employees
8.8
5-9 employees
10.6
10-19 employees
11.9
20-49 employees
13.0
50-99 employees
14.8
100-249 employees
16.9
250-499 employees
18.4
500-999 employees
18.5
1000+ employees
20.3
Source: CBS, TNO
Union membership, by size of organisation, 2023
Bedrijfsgrootte
Union membership (%)
1-4 employees
8.8
5-9 employees
10.6
10-19 employees
11.9
20-49 employees
13.0
50-99 employees
14.8
100-249 employees
16.9
250-499 employees
18.4
500-999 employees
18.5
1000+ employees
20.3
Source: CBS, TNO
The figures reported in this news release are based on a survey among employed persons and are thus related to union membership among employees. Statistics Netherlands (CBS) also publishes biannual figures on the number of union members (only available in Dutch) based on a survey of trade unions. There were 1.4 million union members in 2023. Trade union members are not exclusively employed persons. They can also be people not in employment (because they are unemployed, in education or retired, for example) or self-employed.
