The percentage of 25 to 45-year-olds in employment (net labor participation) was 87.4% in 2024, up from 82.9% in 2014. The increase was less pronounced for men (2.5 percentage points) than for women (6.5 percentage points). For both, growth has leveled off since 2022.
In addition to improving economic conditions since 2014, the rise in labor participation among 25 to 45-year-olds is also due to higher education levels. Labor participation is highest among those with higher professional education (HBO) and university (WO) degrees. In 2024, 52.5% of 25 to 45-year-olds had attained an HBO or WO diploma, compared to 41.0% in 2014. This increase was stronger among women than men.
Over 40% of the Workforce is Aged 25 to 45
The workforce aged 15 to 75 consisted of 10.2 million people in 2024, of which 4.1 million were aged 25 to 45 (40.4%). The share of 25 to 45-year-olds in the workforce has been increasing since 2020.