more second-job holders

Statistics Netherlands announced today that last year 467 thousand employees had two jobs. The share of second-job holders has risen to 7.6 percent of all employees. Approximately two in every three employees combine two employee jobs. Over the past decade, the most substantial increase occurred among people combining a first job as employee with a second job as self-employed.

After gradual increase one in fourteen currently combine two jobs

The number of employees combining two jobs has gradually grown over the past decade. Their number increased more rapidly in the period 2006-2008 than in the preceding years. Between 2008 and 2012, it remained fairly stable. The share of second-job holders has risen from 5.5 percent in 2003 to 7.6 percent in 2013.

Most substantial increase in combination first job as employee and second job as self-employed

In the last ten years, the most substantial increase was recorded among those who combined a first job as employee with a second-job as self-employed. The increase occurred across all sectors, but most notably in the sectors information and communication, specialist business services and public administration and government services. Among those who combine two employee jobs, the most substantial increase was found in the sectors hotels and restaurants, rental and business services and health care and welfare.

Number of employees with two jobs

Number of employees with two jobs

Share of women has grown in all combinations of two jobs

The share of working women has risen over the past ten years. This trend is also reflected in the number of female second-job holders. Already since 2003, more women than men have combined two jobs in paid employment and this trend has continued over the past decade. In 2013, the share of women in this category was 60 percent.

Job combinations by gender

Job combinations by gender

Most young people engaged in employee jobs

Proportionally, young people more often combine two jobs. Among 15 to 24-year-old employees working at least twelve hours a week, more than 13 percent have two jobs. In the other age groups, the share ranges between 6 and more than 7 percent. The most common combination among young people (nearly nine in ten) is two jobs in paid employment.

Job combinations by age, 2013

Job combinations by age, 2013

People with two jobs in paid employment have shortest working hours

In 2013, employees with one job averaged nearly 33 working hours a week. With an average of nearly 39 hours, employees with a second job as self-employed had significantly longer working weeks. People combining two employee jobs averaged only 32.0 hours a week.

Average number of working hours per job by combinations of jobs, 2013

Average number of working hours per job by combinations of jobs, 2013