Netherlands Labor Force Participation
Labor force participation rate SL.TLF.CACT.ZS
Netherlands's labor force participation was 67.25% in 2025, ranked 41st globally. This represents a 0.3% decrease from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1990–2025.
Overview
Netherlands's labor force participation stood at 67.25% in 2025, a decline of +0.21pp from 2024. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 67.74% by 2026. Netherlands ranked 41st globally.
Netherlands’ labor‑force participation rate stood at 67.25 % in 2025, placing the country 41st globally, and reflects a modest rise from the 66.34 % recorded in 1990. The series peaked in 2001 at 67.95 % before slipping to a trough of 66.13 % in 2017, after which participation has gradually recovered. Over the 36‑year coverage, the Dutch rate has remained relatively stable, hovering within a narrow band of roughly 1.8 percentage points, suggesting limited sensitivity to business‑cycle fluctuations compared with more volatile economies. By contrast, peer Kenya posted a slightly higher rate of 67.39 % in the same year, underscoring that the Netherlands’ participation is comparable to emerging‑market levels despite its advanced‑economy status. The recent upward movement from the 2017 low indicates that demographic aging and policy incentives to extend working lives are beginning to offset labor‑force shrinkage, and continued reforms could sustain a modest upward trajectory in the coming decade.
Data & projection
| Year | Labor Force Participation | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2028* trend | 68.07% | - | - |
| 2027* trend | 67.90% | - | - |
| 2026* trend | 67.74% | - | - |
| 2025 | 67.25% | −0.21pp | #41 |
| 2024 | 67.46% | −0.26pp | #40 |
| 2023 | 67.72% | +0.49pp | #43 |
| 2022 | 67.23% | +0.69pp | #40 |
| 2021 | 66.53% | −0.01pp | #40 |
| 2020 | 66.54% | −0.16pp | #40 |
| 2019 | 66.71% | +0.32pp | #47 |
| 2018 | 66.38% | +0.26pp | #50 |
| 2017 | 66.13% | −0.16pp | #48 |
| 2016 | 66.28% | −0.18pp | #49 |
| 2015 | 66.47% | +0.31pp | #50 |
| 2014 | 66.16% | −0.58pp | #52 |
| 2013 | 66.74% | −0.04pp | #50 |
| 2012 | 66.78% | +0.39pp | #48 |
| 2011 | 66.39% | −0.12pp | #55 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Netherlands matched the Export Boom Cycle pattern in 2021. Historically, 71% of countries showing this pattern (546 out of 768) saw labor force participation improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Netherlands's labor force participation was 67.25% in 2025. Ranked 41st globally. This represents a 0.3% decrease from the previous year.
Netherlands's labor force participation peaked at 67.95% in 2001.
The lowest labor force participation in Netherlands was 66.13% in 2017.
Netherlands ranks 41st globally in labor force participation as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is SL.TLF.CACT.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
Netherlands's labor force participation is projected to reach 67.74% by 2026 based on trend extrapolation.
The labor force participation of Netherlands in 2025 was 67.25%. This ranks 41st in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_netherlands_labor-force-participation,
title = {Netherlands Labor Force Participation},
url = {https://historysaid.com/netherlands/labor-force-participation/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}