Labour participation; attachment to the labour market

Changed on: 30/01/2026 06:30

Labour participation; attachment to the labour market
Sex	Personal characteristics	Registered employment UWV	Periods	Labour force and not in the labour force (x 1.000)	Employed labour force Employed labour force (x 1.000)	Employed labour force Want to work more hours, available (x 1.000)	Employed labour force Doesn’t want more hours or not available (x 1.000)	Not employed labour force Not employed labour force (x 1.000)	Not employed labour force Unemployed labour force Unemployed labour force (x 1.000)	Not employed labour force Not in the labour force Not in the labour force (x 1.000)	Not employed labour force Not in the labour force Available to work, but not seeking Available to work, but not seeking (x 1.000)	Not employed labour force Not in the labour force Available to work, but not seeking Because of discouragement (x 1.000)	Not employed labour force Not in the labour force Available to work, but not seeking Because of other reason (x 1.000)	Not employed labour force Not in the labour force Seeking work, but not available (x 1.000)	Not employed labour force Not in the labour force Not seeking work, not available Not seeking work, not available (x 1.000)	Not employed labour force Not in the labour force Not seeking work, not available Doesn’t want to or can’t work Because of family/household care (x 1.000)	Not employed labour force Not in the labour force Not seeking work, not available Doesn’t want to or can’t work Because of education (x 1.000)	Not employed labour force Not in the labour force Not seeking work, not available Doesn’t want to or can’t work Because of retirement/old age (x 1.000)	Not employed labour force Not in the labour force Not seeking work, not available Doesn’t want to or can’t work Because of illness/disability (x 1.000)	Not employed labour force Not in the labour force Not seeking work, not available Doesn’t want to or can’t work Because of other reason (x 1.000)
Total male and female	Total persons	Total	2025	13,426	9,833	533	9,299	3,593	396	3,197	182	18	163	106	2,909	250	272	1,444	852	92
Total male and female	Total persons	Registered at an employment office	2025	996	334	37	297	662	130	532	34	4	30	37	461	39	40	27	328	27
Total male and female	Total persons	Registered at UWV, with WW benefit	2025	185	83	12	71	102	66	36	6	0	6	10	20	2	2	5	8	2
Total male and female	Total persons	Registered at UWV, no WW benefit	2025	811	251	24	226	560	65	496	27	4	23	27	441	37	38	22	320	25
Total male and female	Total persons	Not registered at an employment office	2025	12,431	9,499	497	9,002	2,932	266	2,666	148	14	134	69	2,448	210	232	1,417	523	65
Total male and female	Age: 15 to 24 years	Total	2025	2,169	1,648	264	1,384	521	160	362	66	2	64	33	262	4	211	0	33	14
Total male and female	Age: 15 to 24 years	Registered at an employment office	2025	63	20	3	17	43	10	33	3	0	3	3	27	1	11	0	12	2
Total male and female	Age: 15 to 24 years	Registered at UWV, with WW benefit	2025	7	3	1	2	4	3	1	0	0	0	0	1	0	0	0	0	0
Total male and female	Age: 15 to 24 years	Registered at UWV, no WW benefit	2025	56	18	2	15	39	7	32	3	0	3	2	26	1	11	0	12	2
Total male and female	Age: 15 to 24 years	Not registered at an employment office	2025	2,106	1,627	261	1,367	479	150	329	63	2	61	31	235	3	200	0	21	11
Total male and female	Age: 25 to 44 years	Total	2025	4,606	4,023	148	3,875	583	135	449	38	4	34	40	371	92	51	0	200	28
Total male and female	Age: 25 to 44 years	Registered at an employment office	2025	415	170	19	151	244	64	180	15	1	14	18	147	22	22	0	93	10
Total male and female	Age: 25 to 44 years	Registered at UWV, with WW benefit	2025	84	39	6	34	45	32	14	3	0	3	5	6	1	1	0	3	1
Total male and female	Age: 25 to 44 years	Registered at UWV, no WW benefit	2025	331	131	14	117	199	33	167	12	1	11	13	142	21	21	0	90	9
Total male and female	Age: 25 to 44 years	Not registered at an employment office	2025	4,191	3,853	129	3,724	339	70	268	22	2	20	22	223	70	29	0	107	18
Total male and female	Age: 25 to 34 years	Total	2025	2,373	2,081	80	2,001	291	80	212	20	2	19	22	169	35	37	0	81	16
Total male and female	Age: 25 to 34 years	Registered at an employment office	2025	198	84	9	76	114	33	80	6	0	6	8	66	9	14	0	38	5
Total male and female	Age: 25 to 34 years	Registered at UWV, with WW benefit	2025	41	19	3	17	21	16	6	1	0	1	2	3	1	0	0	1	0
Total male and female	Age: 25 to 34 years	Registered at UWV, no WW benefit	2025	157	65	6	59	92	18	75	5	0	4	6	64	9	14	0	37	5
Total male and female	Age: 25 to 34 years	Not registered at an employment office	2025	2,175	1,997	72	1,925	178	46	132	15	1	13	14	103	26	23	0	43	11
Total male and female	Age: 35 to 44 years	Total	2025	2,233	1,942	68	1,874	292	55	237	17	2	15	18	202	57	14	0	119	12
Total male and female	Age: 35 to 44 years	Registered at an employment office	2025	217	86	11	75	131	31	100	9	1	8	10	81	13	8	0	55	5
Total male and female	Age: 35 to 44 years	Registered at UWV, with WW benefit	2025	44	20	3	17	24	16	8	2	0	2	3	3	0	0	0	2	1
Total male and female	Age: 35 to 44 years	Registered at UWV, no WW benefit	2025	174	66	8	59	107	15	92	7	1	6	7	78	12	8	0	53	5
Total male and female	Age: 35 to 44 years	Not registered at an employment office	2025	2,016	1,855	57	1,799	161	24	137	8	1	7	8	121	44	6	0	64	7
Total male and female	Age: 45 to 74 years	Total	2025	6,651	4,162	121	4,041	2,489	102	2,387	78	13	65	33	2,276	154	10	1,444	619	50
Total male and female	Age: 45 to 74 years	Registered at an employment office	2025	518	143	14	129	374	56	318	15	2	13	17	287	17	6	27	223	14
Total male and female	Age: 45 to 74 years	Registered at UWV, with WW benefit	2025	93	41	6	35	52	31	21	3	0	3	5	13	1	1	5	5	1
Total male and female	Age: 45 to 74 years	Registered at UWV, no WW benefit	2025	424	102	8	94	322	25	297	12	2	10	11	273	15	6	22	218	13
Total male and female	Age: 45 to 74 years	Not registered at an employment office	2025	6,133	4,019	108	3,911	2,114	46	2,068	63	10	52	16	1,990	137	4	1,417	396	36
Total male and female	Age: 45 to 54 years	Total	2025	2,199	1,876	59	1,816	323	43	280	15	2	13	13	252	42	6	3	188	13
Total male and female	Age: 45 to 54 years	Registered at an employment office	2025	205	68	6	62	137	24	113	6	1	5	7	101	9	5	0	82	5
Total male and female	Age: 45 to 54 years	Registered at UWV, with WW benefit	2025	40	21	3	19	18	13	6	0	0	0	2	3	0	0	0	2	0
Total male and female	Age: 45 to 54 years	Registered at UWV, no WW benefit	2025	166	47	3	43	119	11	108	5	1	4	5	97	8	4	0	80	5
Total male and female	Age: 45 to 54 years	Not registered at an employment office	2025	1,993	1,808	53	1,754	186	19	167	10	1	8	6	151	33	2	2	106	8
Total male and female	Age: 55 to 64 years	Total	2025	2,473	1,875	49	1,826	598	45	553	25	5	20	14	514	72	3	99	313	27
Total male and female	Age: 55 to 64 years	Registered at an employment office	2025	251	68	7	60	184	28	156	7	1	6	8	140	6	1	5	120	8
Total male and female	Age: 55 to 64 years	Registered at UWV, with WW benefit	2025	44	18	3	15	26	17	9	2	0	2	3	5	1	0	1	3	1
Total male and female	Age: 55 to 64 years	Registered at UWV, no WW benefit	2025	207	49	4	45	158	11	146	6	1	5	5	135	5	1	5	117	7
Total male and female	Age: 55 to 64 years	Not registered at an employment office	2025	2,222	1,807	42	1,765	414	17	398	18	4	14	5	374	67	2	94	193	19
Total male and female	Age: 65 to 74 years	Total	2025	1,979	412	13	399	1,568	14	1,554	37	6	32	6	1,510	40	0	1,342	118	10
Total male and female	Age: 65 to 74 years	Registered at an employment office	2025	61	7	0	7	54	4	50	2	0	2	1	46	2	0	21	21	2
Total male and female	Age: 65 to 74 years	Registered at UWV, with WW benefit	2025	9	1	0	1	8	2	6	1	0	1	0	5	0	0	4	0	0
Total male and female	Age: 65 to 74 years	Registered at UWV, no WW benefit	2025	51	6	0	6	45	2	43	1	0	1	1	41	2	0	17	21	1
Total male and female	Age: 65 to 74 years	Not registered at an employment office	2025	1,918	404	12	392	1,514	10	1,504	35	5	30	5	1,464	38	0	1,321	97	9
Total male and female	1 Primary, lower secondary	Total	2025	3,364	1,926	163	1,763	1,438	123	1,314	70	6	64	34	1,210	99	131	555	381	43
Total male and female	1 Primary, lower secondary	Registered at an employment office	2025	386	103	10	93	283	31	253	14	2	12	12	227	23	18	13	157	16
Total male and female	1 Primary, lower secondary	Registered at UWV, with WW benefit	2025	36	15	2	12	22	11	11	2	0	2	2	7	1	0	2	3	1
Total male and female	1 Primary, lower secondary	Registered at UWV, no WW benefit	2025	350	89	8	81	261	20	242	12	2	10	10	220	22	18	11	154	15
Total male and female	1 Primary, lower secondary	Not registered at an employment office	2025	2,977	1,823	153	1,670	1,154	93	1,061	56	5	52	22	983	76	113	543	223	28
Total male and female	2 Upper secondary	Total	2025	4,848	3,628	201	3,428	1,220	137	1,083	57	5	52	38	987	83	94	474	309	27
Total male and female	2 Upper secondary	Registered at an employment office	2025	351	124	14	110	226	46	180	11	1	9	14	156	11	13	8	117	7
Total male and female	2 Upper secondary	Registered at UWV, with WW benefit	2025	69	31	5	27	38	23	14	2	0	2	4	8	1	0	2	4	1
Total male and female	2 Upper secondary	Registered at UWV, no WW benefit	2025	282	93	9	84	189	22	166	8	1	7	9	149	10	13	6	114	6
Total male and female	2 Upper secondary	Not registered at an employment office	2025	4,497	3,504	186	3,317	993	91	903	46	4	42	25	831	73	80	467	191	20
Total male and female	3 Tertiary	Total	2025	5,128	4,235	169	4,066	893	134	759	52	7	45	32	675	60	46	404	146	20
Total male and female	3 Tertiary	Registered at an employment office	2025	242	104	13	92	138	53	85	8	1	7	11	65	4	8	6	44	4
Total male and female	3 Tertiary	Registered at UWV, with WW benefit	2025	78	37	5	32	41	31	10	2	0	2	4	5	0	1	1	2	1
Total male and female	3 Tertiary	Registered at UWV, no WW benefit	2025	164	67	7	60	96	22	75	6	1	6	7	61	3	7	5	43	3
Total male and female	3 Tertiary	Not registered at an employment office	2025	4,886	4,130	156	3,974	755	81	674	44	6	38	21	610	57	38	398	101	16
Total male and female	Level of educ: unknown	Total	2025	87	44	1	43	43	2	41	2	0	2	1	37	7	1	10	17	2
Total male and female	Level of educ: unknown	Registered at an employment office	2025	16	2	0	2	14	1	13	1	0	1	0	12	2	0	1	9	0
Total male and female	Level of educ: unknown	Registered at UWV, with WW benefit	2025	1	0	0	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Total male and female	Level of educ: unknown	Registered at UWV, no WW benefit	2025	15	2	0	2	14	1	13	1	0	1	0	12	2	0	1	9	0
Total male and female	Level of educ: unknown	Not registered at an employment office	2025	71	42	1	41	29	1	27	2	0	2	1	25	5	0	10	8	1
Male	Total persons	Total	2025	6,714	5,180	218	4,962	1,533	202	1,331	97	9	89	51	1,183	26	137	650	328	41
Male	Total persons	Registered at an employment office	2025	470	178	16	162	291	72	220	20	2	18	18	181	5	19	13	131	13
Male	Total persons	Registered at UWV, with WW benefit	2025	93	42	4	37	52	34	17	4	0	4	4	9	1	1	3	4	1
Male	Total persons	Registered at UWV, no WW benefit	2025	376	137	12	125	240	37	202	16	2	14	14	172	5	19	10	127	12
Male	Total persons	Not registered at an employment office	2025	6,244	5,002	201	4,800	1,242	130	1,112	77	6	71	33	1,002	21	118	637	197	28
Male	Age: 15 to 24 years	Total	2025	1,104	837	130	707	268	83	184	37	1	36	16	132	1	110	0	13	8
Male	Age: 15 to 24 years	Registered at an employment office	2025	31	11	2	9	20	5	15	2	0	2	1	12	0	6	0	4	1
Male	Age: 15 to 24 years	Registered at UWV, with WW benefit	2025	3	1	0	1	2	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Male	Age: 15 to 24 years	Registered at UWV, no WW benefit	2025	28	10	2	8	18	3	15	2	0	2	1	11	0	6	0	4	1
Male	Age: 15 to 24 years	Not registered at an employment office	2025	1,074	826	128	698	248	78	170	35	1	34	15	120	1	104	0	8	7
Male	Age: 25 to 44 years	Total	2025	2,320	2,109	52	2,057	211	65	146	17	2	15	18	111	6	24	0	68	13
Male	Age: 25 to 44 years	Registered at an employment office	2025	195	93	9	83	102	34	68	8	1	8	8	51	2	10	0	33	6
Male	Age: 25 to 44 years	Registered at UWV, with WW benefit	2025	40	19	2	17	21	15	6	2	0	2	2	2	0	0	0	1	0
Male	Age: 25 to 44 years	Registered at UWV, no WW benefit	2025	155	73	7	66	82	19	62	7	1	6	7	49	2	10	0	32	5
Male	Age: 25 to 44 years	Not registered at an employment office	2025	2,125	2,016	43	1,973	109	31	78	9	1	8	10	60	3	13	0	35	8
Male	Age: 25 to 34 years	Total	2025	1,200	1,086	34	1,052	115	38	76	10	1	9	10	56	2	19	0	27	8
Male	Age: 25 to 34 years	Registered at an employment office	2025	95	48	5	43	48	16	31	3	0	3	4	24	1	7	0	13	3
Male	Age: 25 to 34 years	Registered at UWV, with WW benefit	2025	18	9	1	8	9	7	2	1	0	1	1	1	0	0	0	0	0
Male	Age: 25 to 34 years	Registered at UWV, no WW benefit	2025	77	38	3	35	39	10	29	3	0	2	3	23	1	7	0	13	3
Male	Age: 25 to 34 years	Not registered at an employment office	2025	1,105	1,038	29	1,009	67	22	45	7	1	6	7	32	1	12	0	14	5
Male	Age: 35 to 44 years	Total	2025	1,120	1,023	18	1,005	97	27	70	7	1	7	7	55	4	4	0	41	6
Male	Age: 35 to 44 years	Registered at an employment office	2025	100	45	5	40	55	18	37	5	1	5	5	27	2	3	0	20	3
Male	Age: 35 to 44 years	Registered at UWV, with WW benefit	2025	22	10	1	9	12	9	4	1	0	1	1	2	0	0	0	1	0
Male	Age: 35 to 44 years	Registered at UWV, no WW benefit	2025	78	35	4	31	43	9	33	4	1	3	4	26	1	3	0	19	2
Male	Age: 35 to 44 years	Not registered at an employment office	2025	1,020	978	14	965	42	9	33	2	0	2	3	28	2	1	0	21	3
Male	Age: 45 to 74 years	Total	2025	3,289	2,235	36	2,199	1,054	53	1,001	43	6	38	17	940	20	4	650	247	20
Male	Age: 45 to 74 years	Registered at an employment office	2025	244	75	5	69	169	32	137	10	1	8	9	118	3	3	13	93	6
Male	Age: 45 to 74 years	Registered at UWV, with WW benefit	2025	51	21	2	19	29	18	11	2	0	2	3	7	0	0	3	3	1
Male	Age: 45 to 74 years	Registered at UWV, no WW benefit	2025	193	53	3	50	140	14	125	8	1	6	6	112	3	3	10	91	6
Male	Age: 45 to 74 years	Not registered at an employment office	2025	3,045	2,160	31	2,129	885	21	864	34	4	30	8	822	17	1	637	154	14
Male	Age: 45 to 54 years	Total	2025	1,088	970	14	957	117	20	97	7	1	6	6	84	4	3	2	70	5
Male	Age: 45 to 54 years	Registered at an employment office	2025	90	33	2	31	57	12	44	4	1	3	3	38	1	3	0	31	2
Male	Age: 45 to 54 years	Registered at UWV, with WW benefit	2025	20	11	1	10	9	7	2	0	0	0	1	1	0	0	0	1	0
Male	Age: 45 to 54 years	Registered at UWV, no WW benefit	2025	70	23	1	21	48	6	42	3	1	3	2	36	1	2	0	30	2
Male	Age: 45 to 54 years	Not registered at an employment office	2025	997	937	12	925	60	8	53	3	0	3	3	47	3	1	2	39	3
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.

Data available from: 2013

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

Changes as of January 30, 2026:
The figures for the 4th quarter of 2026 and the annual figures for 2025 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 May 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.