Netherlands benefit recipient ratio remains stable at 56 per 100 workers

New data from Statistics Netherlands (CBS) shows that in 2025, there were 56 benefit recipients for every 100 workers. This figure has remained stable since 2022. The majority of these recipients are pensioners, with 40 pension recipients per 100 workers.

Over the past twenty-five years, the proportion of the population using employment as their primary source of income has increased. This trend is attributed to higher labor participation among women and older individuals working longer. While the ratio of benefit recipients peaked at 63 per 100 workers during the high unemployment period of 2013–2015, social security benefits such as welfare or disability have remained relatively low, fluctuating between 15 and 20 per 100 workers in recent years.