Labour participation; key figures, 2003-2022

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Age Highest educational level Labour force and not in the labour force (x 1 000)
15 to 74 years Total 13,175
1 Lower education 3,394
2 Intermediate education 4,883
3 Higher education 4,804
Unknown 94
15 to 24 years Total 2,137
1 Lower education 900
2 Intermediate education 943
3 Higher education 292
Unknown 1
15 to 64 years Total 11,241
1 Lower education 2,599
2 Intermediate education 4,254
3 Higher education 4,308
Unknown 79
25 to 44 years Total 4,356
1 Lower education 508
2 Intermediate education 1,476
3 Higher education 2,342
Unknown 30
25 to 34 years Total 2,259
1 Lower education 206
2 Intermediate education 751
3 Higher education 1,288
Unknown 15
35 to 44 years Total 2,097
1 Lower education 302
2 Intermediate education 726
3 Higher education 1,055
Unknown 15
45 to 54 years Total 2,345
1 Lower education 473
2 Intermediate education 901
3 Higher education 946
Unknown 26
45 to 64 years Total 4,748
1 Lower education 1,191
2 Intermediate education 1,834
3 Higher education 1,675
Unknown 49
45 to 74 years Total 6,683
1 Lower education 1,986
2 Intermediate education 2,463
3 Higher education 2,170
Unknown 63
55 to 64 years Total 2,403
1 Lower education 719
2 Intermediate education 933
3 Higher education 728
Unknown 23
65 to 74 years Total 1,934
1 Lower education 795
2 Intermediate education 629
3 Higher education 496
Unknown 14
15 to 19 years Total 1,016
1 Lower education 753
2 Intermediate education 254
3 Higher education 7
Unknown 1
20 to 24 years Total 1,121
1 Lower education 147
2 Intermediate education 689
3 Higher education 285
Unknown 0
25 to 29 years Total 1,121
1 Lower education 89
2 Intermediate education 372
3 Higher education 652
Unknown 7
30 to 34 years Total 1,138
1 Lower education 116
2 Intermediate education 378
3 Higher education 636
Unknown 8
35 to 39 years Total 1,062
1 Lower education 137
2 Intermediate education 349
3 Higher education 567
Unknown 9
40 to 44 years Total 1,035
1 Lower education 165
2 Intermediate education 377
3 Higher education 488
Unknown 6
45 to 49 years Total 1,075
1 Lower education 194
2 Intermediate education 392
3 Higher education 477
Unknown 12
50 to 54 years Total 1,271
1 Lower education 279
2 Intermediate education 508
3 Higher education 469
Unknown 14
55 to 59 years Total 1,253
1 Lower education 336
2 Intermediate education 508
3 Higher education 396
Unknown 13
Source: CBS.
Explanation of symbols

Table explanation


This table contains quarterly and yearly figures on labour participation in the Netherlands. The population of 15 to 74 years of age (excluding the institutionalized population) is divided into the employed labour force, the unemployed labour force and those not in the labour force. The employed labour force is subdivided on the basis of the professional status, and the average working hours. A division by sex, age and level of education is available.

Due to changes in the survey design and the questionnaire of the Labour Force Survey (LFS), a revision of the figures for 2021 was carried out in the first quarter of 2022.
As a result, the numbers of 2021 and later will not be comparable to the years 2003-2020.

Data available from 2003 till 2022.

Status of the figures:
The figures in this table are final.

Changes as of 20 May 2025
None, the table has been discontinued.

When will new figures be published?
Not applicable. The table is stopped.

Description topics

Labour force and not in the labour force
People who are part of the employed labour force, the unemployed labour force or who are not in the labour force.

This definition concerns people who live in the Netherlands (excluding the institutionalized population). The figures are usually presented for the population aged 15 to 75 years old. Paid work is regardless of the hours worked.