Inequality in the Dutch labor market is rising for the first time in years

Inequality in the Dutch labor market has increased for the first time in years, with unemployment rising significantly among both first-generation migrants and their children born in the Netherlands. While unemployment among those of native Dutch descent rose only slightly from 2.9 to 3.0 percent between 2024 and 2026, the rate for migrants increased from 5.8 to 6.9 percent, and for the second generation from 5.3 to 6.0 percent. This trend reverses a period of relative stability observed since 2022.

The rise in unemployment spans all age groups and education levels for migrant populations. CBS economist Peter Hein van Mulligen notes that unlike the native Dutch population, where rising unemployment is linked to more people entering the workforce, migrants are seeing a genuine decline in the number of people holding jobs. Furthermore, possessing a diploma remains a critical factor for employment among migrants, whereas it has significantly less impact on the job prospects of native Dutch workers, whose unemployment figures remained largely stable during the same period.