In an era when the labor market is constantly changing, it is essential to be well-informed about the latest trends and developments. This is especially true for the fast-growing group of independent professionals (self-employed) in Europe. We are proud to present the latest Talent Monitor, a comprehensive report that provides an in-depth analysis of the European self-employed market and the unique position of the Netherlands in it.
The Netherlands versus Europe
The Netherlands is known for its flexible labor market, shaped in part by pioneers such as the late Frits Goldschmeding. Yet the Talent Monitor shows that the dynamics of the Dutch labor market, especially when it comes to flexible forms of contract, cannot be applied one-to-one to the rest of Europe. In the Netherlands, we see a strong emphasis on hybrid contract forms and a growing number of zzp'ers. But in many other European countries, the emphasis is different: fixed is often less flexible, and flex is less fixed.
The demographics of European independent professionals
One of the most striking findings from the report is that older independent professionals (55+) are dominant in Europe, while younger people (under 30) are much less likely to choose self-employment. This is in stark contrast to the mostly Dutch notion that young people are precisely the driving force behind the growth of self-employment. These findings offer valuable insights for policymakers and employers focusing on the European labor market.
The growth of female self-employed workers
Another key insight from the Talent Monitor is the rise of female independent professionals in Europe. Over the past 15 years, the number of independent women has grown steadily, and in some countries, such as Luxembourg, women are now even in the majority within the independent group. The data shows a direct relationship between the degree of emancipation in a country and the proportion of female independent professionals. This means that countries with more gender equality have a larger group of female independent professionals.
Why is this report important to you?
The Talent Monitor 2024 is an indispensable tool for anyone concerned with the labor market, both in the Netherlands and abroad. It offers crucial insights for:
The full report can be downloaded for free at headfirst.group.
About Talent Monitor
Intelligence Group and HeadFirst Group, of which Striive is part, make available unique insights on labor market related themes on a quarterly basis based on Intelligence Group's recruitment and labor market data, combined with HeadFirst Group's hiring data. Both data sources are stored in a structured way, in accordance with the ISCO standard.