We are becoming more productive, but working fewer hours

The Dutch economy has shown significant growth since 2024, primarily driven by increased labor productivity, according to RaboResearch economists. From Q1 2024 to Q3 2026, productivity rose by 4.9%, despite a decrease in working hours. In Q3 2023, over 4.8 million people worked less than 35 hours weekly, averaging 31.9 hours. Last year, productivity increased by 2.3%. The decline in self-employed individuals has also contributed to this growth, as fewer freelancers are working, leading to more efficient organization within larger companies. However, this productivity surge may be temporary, with challenges ahead, including low investment in R&D and labor market constraints.