Social security; key figures, number of benefits

Dataset is not available.


This table shows actual key figures of benefits concerning labour disablement, unemployment, income support and national insurances.

Data available from: January 1998.

Status of the figures:
- the figures in this table can be definitive, revised provisional or provisional;
- the monthly and quarterly figures represent the situation at the end of a period;
- the annual figures are averages;
- the figures concerning income support of the last three months are based on an estimation and therefore provisional. After three month these figures will be replaced by revised provisional figures and after one ore two years the figures become definitive.

Changes as of 29th February 2024:

Added are:
- the figures of unemployment benefits not seasonally adjusted and benefits IOW of December 2023 and year average 2023;
- the provisional figures of the benefits (related to) income support of December 2023;
- the provisional figures of the disablement benefits of December 2023 and year average 2023

Revised are:
- the provisional figures of the benefits (related to) income support of September 2023;

The figures mentioned below have become definitive:
- the figures of unemployment benefits not seasonally adjusted and benefits IOW of October 2023;
- the provisional figures of the disablement benefits of September 2023.

When will new figures be published?
New figures will be published in March 2024.

Description topics

Disablement benefits
The number of disablement benefits under the Disablement Insurance Act (WAO), the Disablement Assistence (Young Persons) Act (Wajong), the Disablement Insurance Act for Self Employed (WAZ) and the Work and Income (Capacity for Work) Act (WIA) not terminated at the end of the period under review (current benefits).
Total number of disablement benefits
The total number of disablement benefits (WAO, WAZ, Wajong, WIA), not terminated at the end of the period under review (current benefits).
Benefits WAO
The number of disablement benefits under the Disablement Insurance Act (WAO), not terminated at the end of the period under review (current benefits).

Employees who became disabled before January 1st, 2004 are entitled to a benefit under the Disablement Insurance Act (WAO), as long as they are at least 15% incapacitated.
The WAO is replaced by the Work and Income (Capacity for Work) Act (WIA) as from December 29, 2005
For employees who already have a WAO benefit and people who become incapacitated again for the same reason within 5 years after termination of the WAO benefit, the WAO remains in effect.

The benefit will be terminated when a person reaches the AOW-age.

Benefits Wajong
The number of disablement benefits, not terminated at the end of the period under review, for persons disabled at an early age and without work experience (Wajong benefits).

Until Januari 1st, 2010, persons already disabled before the age of 18 or becoming disabled before the age of 27 while attending school and without work experience were entitled to a benefit under the Disablement Provision Act for Disabled from an Early Age ("old" Wajong)
Basic principle of the "old" Wajong act was the entitlement to a benefit for the disabled young persons mentioned above.
The Disablement Provision Act for Disabled from an Early Age was modified and renamed the Disablement Assistence (Young Persons) Act ("new" Wajong) as from January 1st, 2010.
Basic principle became the entitlement to assistence in finding and keeping suitable work and - if necessary - income support.
As of January 1st, 2015, the "new" Wajong was also modified ("Wajong2015"). From that moment on only young disabled persons who are permanently incapacitated for work can apply for a benefit.
Young disabled persons with capacity for work have to apply to the local authorities for support.

The "old" Wajong and "new" Wajong remain in effect for young disabled persons who have applied for or granted a benefit before Januari 1st, 2010 and January 1st, 2015 respectively.

The Wajong benefit will be terminated when a person reaches the AOW-age.


Benefits WAZ
The number of disablement benefits under the Disablement Insurance Act for Self Employed (WAZ), not terminated at the end of the period under review (current benefits).

The WAZ is a legally bound insurance against financial consequences of (long-term) disability for self-employed persons, chief executive officers, managing directors, major shareholders and collaborating spouses.
As of August 1st, 2004 the persons mentioned above can no longer apply for the WAZ and have to insure themselves privately for (long-term) disability.
The WAZ will remain in effect for those persons who already receive a benefit under the WAZ.

The benefit will be terminated when a person reaches the AOW-age.

Benefits WIA
The number of disablement benefits under the Work and Income (Capacity for Work) Act (WIA), not terminated at the end of the period under review (current benefits).

The WIA has replaced the Disablement Insurance Act (WAO) as from December 29, 2005.
Only persons who became disabled for 35% or more after January 1st, 2004 can apply for the WIA.
Basic principle of the act is to stimulate disabled persons to work to their capacity.
The act consits of two regulations:
- the Fully Disabled Persons Benefit Regulation (IVA);
- the Resumption of Work (Partially Disabled Persons) Regulation (WGA).
Total benefits WIA
The total number of disablement benefits under the Work and Income (Capacity for Work) Act (WIA), regulations IVA and WGA.
Benefits IVA
The number of disablement benefits under the Fully Disabled Persons Benefit Regulation (IVA), not terminated at the end of the period under review.

The IVA regulates a wage replacement benefit for employees who are totally and permanently disabled.
The IVA is a regulation under the Work and Income (Capacity for Work) Act (WIA).

The benefit will be terminated when a person reaches the AOW-age.
Benefits WGA
The number of disablement benefits under the Resumption of Work (Partially Disabled Persons) Regulation (WGA), not terminated at the end of the period under review.

The WGA regulates a financial supplement to earned income or a benefit if a partial disabled person has no work or not enough work to earn a minimum income.
The WGA is a regulation under the Work and Income (Capacity for Work) Act (WIA).

The benefit will be terminated when a person reaches the AOW-age.
Unemployment benefits
Benefits under the Unemployment Insurance Act (WW) and the Income Protection Plan for the Older Unemployed (IOW).

The WW is a compulsory insurance for employees against the financial consequences of unemployment.
The IOW entitles older unemployed or older partially disabled employees to a benefit following the expiration of a benefit under the Unemployment Insurance Act (WW) or a benefit under the Resumption of Work (Partially Disabled Persons) Regulation (WGA).

The WGA is a regulation under the Work and Income (Capacity for Work) Act (WIA)

The numbers include benefits for persons whose sex and place of residence is unknown and benefits for persons living abroad.
Benefits WW, not seasonally adjusted
The number of unemployment benefits under the Unemployment Insurance Act (WW) not seasonally adjusted.
Benefits WW, seasonally adjusted
The number of unemployment benefits under the Unemployment Insurance Act (WW) seasonally adjusted.

During the year under review the figures are provisional.
Benefits IOW
The number of benefits under the Income Protection Plan for the Older Unemployed (IOW), not terminated at the end of the period under review.

The IOW entitles older unemployed or older partially disabled employees to a benefit following the expiration of a benefit under the Unemployment Insurance Act (WW) or a benefit under the Resumption of Work (Partially Disabled Persons) Regulation (WGA).
The act is temporary, has come into force as of December1st, 2009 and will expire as of January 1st, 2027.

The WGA is a regulation under the Work and Income (Capacity for Work) Act (WIA).

The benefit will be terminated when a person reaches the AOW-age.