The Netherlands has become Europe’s capital of reduced working hours, with one in eight Dutch couples now both working part-time – nearly doubling from 229,000 in 2014 to 419,000 last year, according to Statistics Netherlands.
Often described locally as a “Valhalla” for part-time work, the Netherlands boasts Europe’s shortest average working week at just 32.2 hours. While the country ranks high in gender equality indexes with strong female workforce participation, approximately 70 percent of women between 15 and 75 work part-time.
The “papa day” phenomenon has spread among Dutch men, particularly those with young children, making it socially acceptable for fathers to work four days weekly and care for children on their day off. This shift represents a significant cultural change from times when reduced hours were expected only for mothers.
Dutch tax and benefits policies appear to entrench this lifestyle. Low earners pay minimal taxes while receiving substantial benefits, but those earning above €26,000 face marginal tax rates between 76 and 87 percent on additional income. For example, someone with two children earning €25,000 would take home €33,437 after benefits, but if their salary doubled to €50,000, they would keep only €38,851 – creating a powerful disincentive to work more hours.
This arrangement has drawn persistent criticism in Dutch media, with full-time workers sometimes referring to part-timers, particularly women, as “part-time princesses” enjoying a charmed life while others work harder. However, many part-time workers reject this characterization, describing their arrangement as “the best of both worlds” that allows them to balance career progression with family responsibilities.
The flexibility of the Dutch labor market is viewed positively by researchers like Wil Portegijs from the Netherlands Institute for Social Research, who notes that women’s workplace participation has grown dramatically over recent decades, reaching levels comparable to Scandinavian countries, though primarily through part-time work.
Part-time arrangements also help address caregiving needs in an aging society. “One in four employees combine work with caring responsibilities,” explains Kim Dirkse-Csik from carers’ organization MantelzorgNL, noting that policy is designed for elderly people to remain in their homes longer.
However, significant economic challenges loom. The Netherlands faces severe labor shortages across multiple sectors including healthcare, education, construction and technology. De Nederlandsche Bank warns these deficits are limiting economic growth. With an aging population of 18 million, government reports suggest the country needs up to two million more migrants by 2050 to sustain its workforce.
“Our productivity needs to go up and it must become more attractive to work more hours,” says Jobs Minister Eddy van Hijum, highlighting growing concerns about economic sustainability.
The part-time model also carries disproportionate risks for women, according to Marlies Vegter from women’s rights organization Bureau Clara Wichmann. “One disadvantage is that you are often not financially independent… and if a couple divorces then there are often problems with the income of the woman,” she explains. In some sectors, part-time work has become so normalized that full-time positions are increasingly scarce.
As demographic and economic pressures mount, even supporters of the Dutch model question its long-term viability. “If we want to maintain our standard of living… and maintain our welfare state, then it’s important that everybody participates as much as they can,” says Marielle Paul, junior minister for primary education, where staff shortages have become so acute that children are regularly sent home instead of being taught.
Despite ranking second only to Luxembourg in EU living standards, the Netherlands now faces difficult questions about whether its part-time culture can survive amidst growing economic challenges.
