Labour participation; young people

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Age Formal Eduation Labour force and not in the labour force (x 1 000)
15 to 24 years Total 2,163
In formal education 1,637
Not in formal education 527
15 to 19 years Total 1,010
In formal education 927
Not in formal education 83
20 to 24 years Total 1,154
In formal education 709
Not in formal education 444
15 years Total 197
In formal education 192
Not in formal education 4
16 years Total 198
In formal education 194
Not in formal education 4
17 years Total 201
In formal education 194
Not in formal education 7
18 years Total 202
In formal education 176
Not in formal education 26
19 years Total 213
In formal education 171
Not in formal education 42
20 years Total 219
In formal education 163
Not in formal education 56
21 years Total 228
In formal education 171
Not in formal education 57
22 years Total 234
In formal education 144
Not in formal education 89
23 years Total 237
In formal education 131
Not in formal education 106
24 years Total 236
In formal education 101
Not in formal education 136
Source: CBS.
Explanation of symbols

Table explanation


This table contains quarterly and yearly figures on labour participation of young people in the Netherlands. The population of 15 to 24 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 whether they are in education is available.

Data available from: 2013

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

Changes as of August 13, 2026:
The figures for the 2nd quarter 2026 have been added.

Changes as of August 17, 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 November 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.