Unemployment Rate: Netherlands
Netherlands's unemployment rate is currently 4.0% as of 2026. # Netherlands Unemployment Rate The Netherlands currently maintains a 4% unemployment rate in 2026, reflecting a robust labor market near historical lows.
Current (2026)
4.0%
+5.3% y/y
Peak (1983)
8.3%
Low (2001)
3.1%
Source
IMF World Economic Outlook
1980–2026 · 51 pts
Unemployment Rate — Netherlands
1980 — 2026
Unemployment Rate — Netherlands
Analysis# Netherlands Unemployment Rate
The Netherlands currently maintains a 4% unemployment rate in 2026, reflecting a robust labor market near historical lows. Since 1980, the jobless rate has declined 17.6 percentage points overall, dropping from peaks of 8.3% in 1983 to the record low of 3.1% in 2001. Present conditions position the nation well below its decades-long average, demonstrating sustained economic strength despite periodic global disruptions.
A significant turning point emerged between 2017 and 2022, when unemployment fell sharply from 5.9% to 3.5%—the steepest improvement in the dataset. This decline reflects strong labor demand and structural economic resilience. The rate has stabilized between 3.5% and 4% since 2022, suggesting a equilibrium point for the Dutch economy. Forward projections indicate a modest uptick to 4% through 2026, remaining comfortably within the nation's favorable employment range.
Historical Data
51 Rows| Year | Value | Change % |
|---|---|---|
| 2030 | 4.5% | +2.27% |
| 2029 | 4.4% | +2.33% |
| 2028 | 4.3% | +2.38% |
| 2027 | 4.2% | +5.00% |
| 2026 | 4.0% | +5.26% |
| 2025 | 3.8% | +2.70% |
| 2024 | 3.7% | +2.78% |
| 2023 | 3.6% | +2.86% |
| 2022 | 3.5% | -16.67% |
| 2021 | 4.2% | -14.29% |
| 2020 | 4.9% | +11.36% |
| 2019 | 4.4% | -10.20% |
| 2018 | 4.9% | -16.95% |
| 2017 | 5.9% | -15.71% |
| 2016 | 7.0% | -11.39% |
| 2015 | 7.9% | -4.82% |
| 2014 | 8.3% | +1.22% |
| 2013 | 8.2% | +20.59% |
| 2012 | 6.8% | +11.48% |
| 2011 | 6.1% | +0.00% |
Show all 51 rows
| Year | Value | Change % |
|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 6.1% | +12.96% |
| 2009 | 5.4% | +12.50% |
| 2008 | 4.8% | -9.43% |
| 2007 | 5.3% | -13.11% |
| 2006 | 6.1% | -12.86% |
| 2005 | 7.0% | +2.94% |
| 2004 | 6.8% | +15.25% |
| 2003 | 5.9% | +59.46% |
| 2002 | 3.7% | +19.35% |
| 2001 | 3.1% | -16.22% |
| 2000 | 3.7% | -9.76% |
| 1999 | 4.1% | -16.33% |
| 1998 | 4.9% | -19.67% |
| 1997 | 6.1% | -14.08% |
| 1996 | 7.1% | -7.79% |
| 1995 | 7.7% | +24.19% |
| 1994 | 6.2% | +12.73% |
| 1993 | 5.5% | +12.24% |
| 1992 | 4.9% | +2.08% |
| 1991 | 4.8% | -5.88% |
| 1990 | 5.1% | -10.53% |
| 1989 | 5.7% | -8.06% |
| 1988 | 6.2% | -1.59% |
| 1987 | 6.3% | -3.08% |
| 1986 | 6.5% | -10.96% |
| 1985 | 7.3% | -9.88% |
| 1984 | 8.1% | -2.41% |
| 1983 | 8.3% | +27.69% |
| 1982 | 6.5% | +41.30% |
| 1981 | 4.6% | +35.29% |
| 1980 | 3.4% | — |
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