ABSTRACT

This chapter highlights the current labor force characteristics in the Netherlands, including an overview of the changes over the past 10 to 20 years. It extends the conclusions of a similar chapter for the 1970s and 1980s, for the 1990s and for the early 2000s (Tijdens, 1993; 2004; 2011). First, this chapter details the labor force characteristics of women, followed by a review of women pursuing education, and the focus then changes to women in management. This broad category is sub-divided into women in managerial occupations, women in supervisory jobs, women on corporate boards of directors, and women holding elected offices in local and national government. The following section draws attention to women entrepreneurs, notably self-employed women, assisting members of the family, and professional women. The final sections highlight legislation in the Netherlands, the initiatives to support the advancement of women, and predictions about the future.