Labour participation; attachment to the labour market
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.
Data available from: 2013
Status of the figures:
The figures in this table are final.
Changes as of August 27, 2026:
The figures for the 2nd quarter of 2026 have been added.
Changes as of August 23, 2022:
None, this is a new table. This table has been compiled on the basis of the Labor Force Survey (LFS). Due to changes in the research design and the questionnaire of the LFS, the figures for 2021 are not automatically comparable with the figures up to and including 2020. The key figures in this table have therefore been made consistent with the (non-seasonally adjusted) figures in the table Arbeidsdeelname, kerncijfers seizoengecorrigeerd (see section 4), in which the outcomes for the period 2013-2020 have been recalculated to align with the outcomes from 2021. When further detailing the outcomes according to job and personal characteristics, there may nevertheless be differences from 2020 to 2021 as a result of the new method.
When will new figures be released?
New figures will be published in October 2026.
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 74 years old. Paid work is regardless of the hours worked. - Employed labour force
- People who have paid work.
This definition concerns people who live in the Netherlands (excluding the institutionalized population). The figures are usually presented for the population aged 15 to 74 years old. Paid work is regardless of the hours worked.- Employed labour force
- People who have paid work.
This definition concerns people who live in the Netherlands (excluding the institutionalized population). The figures are usually presented for the population aged 15 to 74 years old. Paid work is regardless of the hours worked.
- Want to work more hours, available
- Doesn’t want more hours or not available
- Not employed labour force
- People who don't have paid work.
This definition concerns people who live in the Netherlands (excluding the institutionalized population). The figures are usually presented for the population aged 15 to 74 years old. The non-employed population consists of the unemployed labour force and the people not in the labour force. Paid work is regardless of the hours worked.- Not employed labour force
- People who don't have paid work.
This definition concerns people who live in the Netherlands (excluding the institutionalized population). The figures are usually presented for the population aged 15 to 74 years old. The non-employed population consists of the unemployed labour force and the people not in the labour force. Paid work is regardless of the hours worked.
- Unemployed labour force
- People who don’t have paid work, recently looked for work and are directly available for it.
This definition concerns people who live in the Netherlands (excluding the institutionalized population). The figures are usually presented for the population aged 15 to 74 years old. Paid work is regardless of the hours worked.- Unemployed labour force
- People who don’t have paid work, recently looked for work and are directly available for it.
This definition concerns people who live in the Netherlands (excluding the institutionalized population). The figures are usually presented for the population aged 15 to 74 years old. Paid work is regardless of the hours worked.
- Not in the labour force
- People who don’t have paid work, who haven’t recently looked for work recently or are not directly available for it.
This definition concerns people who live in the Netherlands (excluding the institutionalized population). The figures are usually presented for the population aged 15 to 74 years old. Paid work is regardless of the hours worked.- Not in the labour force
- People who don’t have paid work, who haven’t recently looked for work recently or are not directly available for it.
This definition concerns people who live in the Netherlands (excluding the institutionalized population). The figures are usually presented for the population aged 15 to 74 years old. Paid work is regardless of the hours worked.
- Available to work, but not seeking
- Person is directly available for work, but hasn’t recently looked for work.
- Available to work, but not seeking
- Person is directly available for work, but hasn’t recently looked for work.
- Because of discouragement
- Because of other reason
- Seeking work, but not available
- Person is not directly available for work, but has recently looked for work.
- Not seeking work, not available
- Person is not directly available for work and also hasn’t recently looked for work.
- Not seeking work, not available
- Person is not directly available for work and also hasn’t recently looked for work.
- Doesn’t want to or can’t work
- Person is not directly available for work, hasn’t recently looked for work and also doesn’t want to or can’t have paid work.
- Because of family/household care
- Person is not directly available for work, hasn’t recently looked for work and also doesn’t want to or can’t have paid work because of the care for family or household.
- Because of education
- Person is not directly available for work, hasn’t recently looked for work and also doesn’t want to or can’t have paid work because of education.
- Because of retirement/old age
- Person is not directly available for work, hasn’t recently looked for work and also doesn’t want to or can’t have paid work because of (early) retirement or old age.
- Because of illness/disability
- Person is not directly available for work, hasn’t recently looked for work and also doesn’t want to or can’t have paid work because of an illness or disability.
- Because of other reason
- Person is not directly available for work, hasn’t recently looked for work and also doesn’t want to or can’t have paid work because of another reason.