Labour participation; key figures

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Age Highest educational level Labour force and not in the labour force (x 1 000)
15 to 74 years Total 13,450
Primary, lower secondary 3,339
Upper secondary 4,797
Tertiary 5,234
Unknown 80
15 to 24 years Total 2,169
Primary, lower secondary 935
Upper secondary 912
Tertiary 320
Unknown 2
15 to 64 years Total 11,454
Primary, lower secondary 2,584
Upper secondary 4,145
Tertiary 4,657
Unknown 68
25 to 44 years Total 4,631
Primary, lower secondary 583
Upper secondary 1,501
Tertiary 2,516
Unknown 31
25 to 34 years Total 2,378
Primary, lower secondary 254
Upper secondary 785
Tertiary 1,328
Unknown 12
35 to 44 years Total 2,253
Primary, lower secondary 329
Upper secondary 716
Tertiary 1,188
Unknown 19
45 to 54 years Total 2,175
Primary, lower secondary 389
Upper secondary 786
Tertiary 986
Unknown 13
45 to 64 years Total 4,655
Primary, lower secondary 1,067
Upper secondary 1,732
Tertiary 1,821
Unknown 36
45 to 74 years Total 6,651
Primary, lower secondary 1,822
Upper secondary 2,384
Tertiary 2,397
Unknown 47
55 to 64 years Total 2,480
Primary, lower secondary 677
Upper secondary 946
Tertiary 834
Unknown 22
65 to 74 years Total 1,996
Primary, lower secondary 755
Upper secondary 652
Tertiary 577
Unknown 12
15 to 19 years Total 1,014
Primary, lower secondary 772
Upper secondary 233
Tertiary 9
Unknown 0
20 to 24 years Total 1,155
Primary, lower secondary 163
Upper secondary 679
Tertiary 311
Unknown 2
25 to 29 years Total 1,186
Primary, lower secondary 119
Upper secondary 401
Tertiary 659
Unknown 6
30 to 34 years Total 1,193
Primary, lower secondary 134
Upper secondary 384
Tertiary 669
Unknown 6
35 to 39 years Total 1,169
Primary, lower secondary 156
Upper secondary 367
Tertiary 635
Unknown 12
40 to 44 years Total 1,084
Primary, lower secondary 174
Upper secondary 349
Tertiary 553
Unknown 7
45 to 49 years Total 1,049
Primary, lower secondary 173
Upper secondary 358
Tertiary 511
Unknown 7
50 to 54 years Total 1,126
Primary, lower secondary 217
Upper secondary 427
Tertiary 475
Unknown 6
55 to 59 years Total 1,260
Primary, lower secondary 307
Upper secondary 490
Tertiary 450
Unknown 14
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 April 30, 2026:
The figures for the 1st quarter 2026 have been added.

Changes as of November 14, 2024:
The figures for 3rd quarter 2024 are added.
Figures have been added on labor participation based on whether or not the state pension age has been reached.

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 July 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 75 years old. Paid work is regardless of the hours worked.