Informal caregiving challenges in the Netherlands

Reports indicate that a significant portion of the Dutch workforce, particularly in the healthcare and welfare sectors, faces a dual burden of professional duties and informal caregiving. Data from 2025 shows that 201,000 healthcare workers were in long-term care situations, with 83 percent providing care themselves. Despite these pressures, healthcare workers are less likely to take leave to manage caregiving duties compared to other sectors.

In response, the FBZ union is advocating for legally regulated and paid caregiving leave to prevent burnout and staff shortages. Broader discussions in the Netherlands highlight that approximately 2.5 million employees are attempting to balance professional employment with caregiving responsibilities. Experts and advocates are calling for increased support from both employers and the government, suggesting measures such as flexible working hours, remote work options, and proactive communication from management to identify struggling employees.

Recent findings from the Dementiemonitor, conducted by Alzheimer Nederland and Nivel, underscore the severity of these pressures. Approximately 5.5 million people in the Netherlands provide informal care. Among those caring for individuals with dementia, three in ten report they can only sustain their role for a maximum of one year. Over half of these caregivers experience physical and mental health issues, loneliness, and relationship strain, while nearly 70 percent report difficulty combining care with work and family life.

These challenges have led to significant workforce impacts: one in five working caregivers has reduced their hours, and 15 percent have stopped working entirely. While the Social and Economic Council (SER) recommended eight weeks of paid care leave, the Dutch government has only provided two weeks of short-term paid leave and six weeks of unpaid leave.