Being economically independent means that a persons net income from work is at least at the level of social assistance. In 2024, this was 1,295 euros per month. The share of economically independent individuals is calculated for those who are not in education and who are between the ages of 15 and the state pension age.
In 2023, the minimum wage rose more than other wages. Social assistance is linked to the minimum wage, so it increased as well. Therefore, the amount people earned rose less quickly above the social assistance level.
In 2024, relatively no more people were employed, and their average workweek was virtually the same length as the previous year. The share of economically independent individuals changed little as a result.
In the corona and crisis year 2020, growth among women flattened out and the share of economically independent men slightly decreased. Until then, the recovering economy was accompanied by an increase, especially among women. They increasingly took on larger part-time jobs.
The majority of people who are not economically independent rely on social assistance. Another portion works but earns less than the social assistance level. Among women, this is a larger proportion at 30 percent of non-economically independent individuals compared to men (26 percent). This is partly due to women working more often part-time and having a lower average hourly wage.
Women also more frequently have no income at all compared to men. These women often have a partner with income, are on average older, and have children more often than women with income. This is evident from earlier research (Fewer and fewer women without their own income).
In every municipality, more men than women are economically independent. In Urk, the difference is the largest: 89 percent of men and 60 percent of women are economically independent. The difference is also relatively large in Reimerswaal.
In large cities, the gender gap is usually small. In Groningen, it is the lowest; here, 77 percent of men and 72 percent of women are economically independent. The difference is also relatively small in Amsterdam, Utrecht, Ouder-Amstel, and Nijmegen.
The municipalities with the highest percentage of economically independent men are Scherpenzeel and Staphorst at 91 percent. The lowest percentages of just over 70 percent can be found in municipalities in Southeast Limburg (Heerlen, Vaals, and Kerkrade). The share of economically independent women is also relatively low there, as well as in Pekela and Urk. Zoeterwoude and Bunnik have the highest percentages of economically independent women at 79 percent.
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