Looking back on the 2010s in figures

Statistics Netherlands (CBS) reviews the 2010s by applying fifteen different indicators. Particularly decisive for the state of the Dutch economy was the global credit crunch, which struck on the brink of the new decade. It was marked by severe economic contraction, declining labour participation and a faltering housing market. The economy, which remained ailing for a long time, expanded vigorously in the latter half of the decade. Eventually – by the end of the decade - the Netherlands had achieved a higher prosperity level, despite de facto labour participation remaining at the same level.

The 2010s were also marked by the gradual closing of the gas tap in Groningen following a series of earthquakes around the extraction site. The Internet economy expanded further, the smartphone became a way of life within a short space of time, and more and more people became active on social media. In addition, fully electric vehicles appeared on the market for the first time. Meanwhile, the decade was marked by population growth (among over-65s in particular) and increasingly busy road traffic. Nevertheless, greenhouse gas emissions as well as crime victim rates fell.

As much as possible, this overview presents annual figures on 2010 and 2019, plus developments for the years in between. In a few cases, a longer time series is shown to account for strong fluctuations over the past decade or particular major developments which took effect before this decade began. Of course, the indicators displayed here are only a selection from the broad range of possible figures that could be compiled on the past decade.

Labour market

• In 2018, approximately 9.4 million people in the Netherlands were in employment. This was nearly 600 thousand more than in 2010. At 11 percent, the highest growth rate of this period was recorded in self-employment.

• Labour participation among 15 to 74-year-olds fell as the economic crisis emerged at the end of 2008, but recovered as of 2015 and had more or less returned to its pre-crisis level by 2018.
• Approximately 68 out of each one hundred 15 to 74-year-olds were in work then, with the current rate still unchanged.
• More and more workers are reporting symptoms of a burnout.
• In 2018, women in the age group 25 to 34 years were most affected at 22 percent. An increase is furthermore seen in all age groups and among both men and women.

Population

• During the 2010s, the population of the Netherlands grew from 16.6 to 17.3 million.
• Population growth stood at 4 percent while the number of households grew by 7 percent.