Record number of self-employed & freelancers quit; 28,000 fewer after years of increase

The number of self-employed people and freelancers fell by 28,000 in the first quarter of 2025 compared to a year earlier. This decline a recond and is the first one since Statistics Netherlands (CBS) started keeping track of the figure in 2013. Until now, the number of freelancers and self-employed has only increased.

CBS linked the sharp decline to stricter enforcement of rules against fake self-employment, when companies hire freelancers to do work that should actually be done by employees. Enforcement started in January of this year. Earlier this week, the Chamber of Commerce reported that the decrease in self-employed stabilized in April.

Nearly 60 percent of those who quit as freelancers or self-employed have continued to work, mainly as flexible workers. In the first quarter, 47,0000 employees with a flexible employment contract worked most of their hours as freelancers in the previous quarter. “That is almost double compared to a quarter earlier,” CBS said. The number of self-employed who switched to permanent employment also doubled to 12,000 in the first quarter.

In most occupational classes, the number of freelancers and self-employed who quit or changed employment positions increased. Technical professions, such as construction, saw the biggest percentage increase. In physical numbers, the total number of self-employed decreased the most in commercial professions (-16,000), healthcare and welfare professions (-14,000), and service professions (-12,000).

In commercial professions, the decrease mainly involved salespeople. In healthcare, the decrease affected various groups, including social workers and medical specialists. In the service sector, the decrease was mainly among the hospitality professions and cleaners.