The proportion of people who are members of one or more associations has gradually declined over the past ten years. In 2024, 9.3 million people were members of one or more associations. In 2012, this was nearly 9.5 million.
Especially people with low incomes are less often members of an association. In 2024, 41 percent of people in the lowest income group were members of at least one association, in 2012 this was just over half. Among people in the highest income group, the decline is smaller, from 81 percent in 2012 to 75 percent in 2024.
People with a foreign background are less often members of an association than people with a Dutch background. On average, 43 percent of people with a foreign background were members of an association in 2024, compared to 59 percent in 2012. Among people with a Dutch background, the difference is much smaller, from 73 percent in 2012 to 69 percent in 2024.
People are especially less often members of nature and environmental organizations and trade unions compared to 2012. Of all people aged 15 and older, 18 percent are members of a nature and environmental organization. In 2012, this was about 22 percent. Especially in the last two years, more people have canceled their membership. Eleven percent of all people aged 15 and older are members of a trade union, compared to 15 percent in 2012. Sports clubs still have the most members, with 34 percent of all associations.
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