Nearly 70% of Dutch women are financially independent versus 83% of men

The rate of financially independent women is getting closer to the number of economically independent men, a study from Statistics Netherlands (CBS) shows. Almost 70 percent of women between 15 and the legal pension age are currently financially independent, compared to 83 percent of men.

This means they have an income of at least the social assistance level, and are no longer enrolled in an education program. In 1977, the share of financially independent women was not even 20 percent, while almost 80 percent of men were.

The increase in women's financial independence is due to their working more often, and longer hours. The rise in education levels has also played a role.

At the same time, having kids has less of an influence on women's financial independence than in the past. The younger generation of women is continuing to work more often after having children, especially part-time. There has not been a drop around the ages that men become fathers.

The share of economically independent men has not shown any structural growth since the CBS started keeping income statistics. Rather, it follows the economic cycle because men more often work in sectors that are sensitive to economic fluctuations, such as construction and ICT.