Labor force participation rate in Netherlands
Netherlands: Labor force participation rate was 67.2% in 2025. ▬ Flat
Labor force participation rate in Netherlands, 1990–2025
Source: ILO Modelled Estimates, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data. Measured in %.
Analysis
The most recent figure for labor force participation rate in Netherlands is 67.2%, measured in 2025.
Compared with earlier readings it is down 0.3% on the previous year and up 1.2% over ten years.
Over the whole period, labor force participation rate in Netherlands peaked at 67.9% in 2001 and was at its lowest, 66.1%, in 2017.
That places Netherlands 43rd out of 186 countries with data for 2025, putting it in the top quarter.
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 66.9% | 66.3% | 67.5% | 10 |
| 2000s | 67.4% | 66.8% | 67.9% | 10 |
| 2010s | 66.5% | 66.1% | 66.8% | 10 |
| 2020s | 67.1% | 66.5% | 67.7% | 6 |
Countries ranked near Netherlands
- 40 Kazakhstan 67.8% compare
- 41 Zimbabwe 67.7% compare
- 42 Kenya 67.4% compare
- 44 Cote d'Ivoire 67.1% compare
- 45 Mali 67.0% compare
- 46 East Timor 67.0% compare
More work & labour data for Netherlands
- Legislation on sexual harassment in employment 1 (1=yes; 0=no) (2023)
- Criminal sanctions or compensation for workplace sexual harassment 1 (1=yes; 0=no) (2023)
- Women can take the same jobs as men 1 (1=yes; 0=no) (2023)
- Labor force participation rate, total (% of total population ages 15+) 67.2% (2025)
- Labor force participation rate, male (% of male population ages 15+) 71.9% (2025)
- Ratio of female to male labor force participation rate (%) 87.2% (2025)
- Labor force participation rate, female (% of female population ages 15 62.7% (2025)
- Labor force participation rate, total (% of total population ages 15-6 85.6% (2025)
- Labor force participation rate, male (% of male population ages 15-64) 89.0% (2025)
- Labor force participation rate, female (% of female population ages 15 82.2% (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is labor force participation rate in Netherlands?
- Labor force participation rate in Netherlands was 67.2% in 2025, according to ILO Modelled Estimates, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest labor force participation rate recorded in Netherlands?
- The highest recorded value was 67.9% in 2001.
- What is the lowest labor force participation rate recorded in Netherlands?
- The lowest recorded value was 66.1% in 2017.
- How does Netherlands rank for labor force participation rate?
- Netherlands ranks 43rd out of 186 countries with data for 2025.
- Is labor force participation rate rising or falling in Netherlands?
- Over the last ten years it is up 1.2%. The long-run trend across the full record is flat.
- Where does this Netherlands data come from?
- The figures come from ILO Modelled Estimates, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data, published as part of Labor force participation rate. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
CSV · JSON — 36 observations, free to reuse under CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data).
About this data
Share of the working-age population (ages 15 and over) who are economically active (employed or unemployed).