One in nine employed work less than twelve hours a week
In the second quarter of 2014, nearly 900 thousand people (11 percent of all persons employed in the Netherlands) were working less than twelve hours a week. Three-quarters do not wish or are unable to work more than twelve hours a week, mainly because they attend some form of education or (vocational) training programme. Small jobs are more and more often occupied by young people. In the second quarter of this year, more than 60 percent of people with small jobs were in the age category 15-24. They often worked in shops, supermarkets or in the sector hotels and restaurants.
Growing number of young people are working in small jobs
In the second quarter of 2014, nearly 7.2 million persons were working twelve hours a week or more. Additionally, nearly 900 thousand people had small jobs, i.e. they were working less than twelve hours a week. According to the international definition, people with small jobs are included in the employed labour force, but according to the national definition they are not.
The share of people with small jobs in the total working population has hardly changed during the period 2004-2014, but small jobs are increasingly occupied by young people. This year, 62 percent of people with small jobs were in the age category 15-24, versus 53 percent in 2004.
People working less than twelve hours a week, 2nd quarter
Nearly three-quarters of people with small jobs do not want to or cannot work longer hours
Nearly three-quarters of people with small jobs have no intention to extend their weekly working hours, because they combine work with some form of education, study or training programme. This applies to nine in ten young people. For over-35s, there are other reasons to limit the number of working hours. For six in ten 35 to 44-year-olds, care for the household is the main reason. Among 45 to 54-year-olds nearly one quarter indicate that illness or disability is the reason. The most common reasons for 55-64-year-olds are pre-pension or high age.
People with small jobs by reason why they do not want to work twelve hours or more, 2nd quarter 2014
Young people often employed in the sectors trade, transport and hotels and restaurants
Four in ten people engaged in small jobs are working in the sectors trade, transport and hotels and restaurants. In this group, 80 percent were aged between 15 and 25. These young people often work in shops, supermarkets or in hotels and restaurants. Small jobs in the public sector and the sector health care and welfare are predominantly occupied by women.
