Who are most likely to work part-time?

In 2021, nearly half of the working population of 9.3 million people aged 15 to 74 had a part-time job. Of all occupations, retail checkout assistants, carers and pharmacy assistants were the most likely not to have full-time jobs. Women work part-time more often than men. Young people, especially those still in education, and the over-65s are more likely to work part-time than the other age groups.

Part-time work means paid work up to 35 hours a week. Among all employed, 48 percent were working part-time. In 2021, 70 percent of women were working part-time, against 28 percent of men. Over three quarters of all employed 15 to 24‑year-olds were working part-time. Moreover, 87 percent of employed students and pupils had a part-time job. Similar to young people, about three quarters of all 65 to 74‑year-olds in employment worked part-time.

Show datatablePart-time workers, 15 to 74 years, 2021 (%)Hide datatablePart-time workers, 15 to 74 years, 2021 (%)

Part-time workers, 15 to 74 years, 2021 (%)

	Part-time
Total	48
	.
Men	28
Women	70
	.
15-24 yrs	76
of whom	.
in education	87
not in education	50
	.
25-34 yrs	37
35-44 yrs	42
45-54 yrs	41
55-64 yrs	48
65-74 yrs	74

Most part-time jobs in health care and in accommodation and food services

The percentage of part-time workers is highest in the health care and welfare sector, the education sector and the accommodation and food services sector. Jobs in industries with the highest percentage of part-time employees are often held by women. In 2021, a relatively high share of women worked in care and education, at 82 and 64 percent respectively. Forty-seven percent of the active labour force were women.

The high number of part-time workers in the accommodation and food services sector is associated with the high number of young people. Sixteen percent of the active labour force were 15 to 24 years old. In the accommodation and food services this number was 52 percent. The information and communication, energy supply and construction sectors have the lowest percentage of part-time workers.

Show datatablePart-time workers by sector, 2021 (%)Hide datatablePart-time workers by sector, 2021 (%)

Part-time workers by sector, 2021 (%)

	Part-time
Total	48
Health care and welfare	74
Accommodation and food services	67
Education	59
Other services	56
Trade	55
Real estate activities	39
Transportation and storage	37
Agriculture, forestry and fishing	37
Specialised business services	36
Public administration and public services	34
Financial services	28
Manufacturing	28
Water companies and waste management	27
Information and communication	25
Energy supply	21
Construction	19

Retail checkout assistants most likely to work part-time

CBS distinguishes 114 occupational groups. The occupational group with the highest percentage of part-time workers is that of retail checkout assistants. Among all retail checkout assistants, 94 percent worked part-time; 86 percent were women and 78 percent were younger than 25. Occupations within health care with a high percentage of part-time workers include carers and nurses (MBO). Kitchen assistants, waiters and bar staff relatively often work part-time within the accommodation and food services sector.

The questions

1. How does CBS collect data?
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3. Who are most likely to work part-time?
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5. Are people happy with the house they live in?
6. How many young women encounter street harassment?
7. What do the over-65s do online?
8. How many wind turbines in the Netherlands?
9. How far is school by bike?
10. How many museums are there?
11. How much electricity in the Caribbean Netherlands is renewable?
12. How many adults are overweight?
13. How many cargo ships dock at Dutch seaports?
14. What did we listen to on the radio in 1953?
15. What is the average lifespan in the Netherlands?
16. Where did we go for a holiday in 1947?
17. How much fish is landed?
18. Where were people in the Netherlands born?
19. What do we spend money on?
20. How old are Dutch first-time mothers on average?
21. How much cheese do we produce?
22. How are goods transported through the Netherlands?
23. How many people fall victim to cybercrime?
24. What is the most spoken language or dialect at home?
25. How many shops are there?
26. What is the value of Dutch beer exports?
27. How often do we have a goosebump moment?
28. How many cows graze in fields?
29. What are the most popular majors?
30. How tall are Dutch people?
31. How is the urban bird population doing?
32. Where do most people work?
33. What colour is our car?
34. How does CBS handle your privacy?