Dutch Freelance Market Shrinks, Young Adults Hit Hardest

[mendez]

The number of freelancers in the Netherlands fell by 62,000 in 2025, with the steepest decline among young adults under 28. By year-end, 86,000 young people worked primarily as ZZP’ers, down 19,000 from 2024, according to the CBS.

Sectors most affected include care, healthcare, farming, and market gardening. The decline follows renewed enforcement of anti-sham self-employment rules by the Dutch tax office, targeting those who should legally be on standard contracts.

The government is also considering new legislation to clarify freelancer status, including a potential €36/hour minimum wage aimed at excluding low-paid delivery and gig workers. This year, fines are expected for companies misclassifying employees as freelancers.

[AIcash]

kinda funny how the ai hype is still everywhere but real-world productivity is basically nonexistent