Employment rates drop for social assistance recipients amid growing complex needs

People receiving social assistance in the Netherlands are struggling more to find employment. The new annual report from Divosa, the association for leaders in the social sector, notes that this is partly due to a growing number of individuals with multiple and complex challenges, which limit their access to the labor market.

The proportion of social assistance recipients securing employment has dropped from 11.5 percent in 2021 to 7.9 percent in 2024 and 2025, even though the labor market remains tight. While this tight market previously helped people with minimal barriers to quickly find work, municipalities noted in the report that a growing number of residents now face more complex challenges.

For social assistance recipients, having a stable living situation and the right support is just as important as employment in helping them rebuild their lives. As a result, new approaches are needed to help people return to the workforce. These include alternative forms of participation, such as jobs in adapted workplaces for people with disabilities, daytime programs, and volunteer opportunities.

“To counter the decline in social assistance recipients entering the workforce, extra support is essential,” says Victor Everhardt, chair of Divosa. “Supporting vulnerable groups should not be seen as a cost, but as a crucial investment for a healthy economy and a resilient society.”