For the first time in years, the number of self-employed people is falling. The decline seems striking at first glance, because for years this group grew steadily, but if you have followed the current events of the past year until now, this development does not come as a surprise. Clients have become more cautious since the Tax Office has been more actively enforcing false self-employment since January 1, 2025. Tension in the labor market has also decreased considerably. For every 100 unemployed, there are now 101 vacancies. Three years ago, this was 142 vacancies for every 100 unemployed.
At the same time, the biennial Self-Employed Labor Survey (ZEA) from the Central Bureau of Statistics and research institute TNO (July 2025) shows something different: 85 percent continue to invest in their business, learn and look ahead. A choice that, according to previous studies, is mostly linked to the need for freedom, autonomy and substantive control over one's own work.
Zzp'ers invest firmly even in times of uncertainty
85 percent of the self-employed are investing in their own businesses. This is very positive. Think about gaining knowledge, buying new equipment, or improving products. This reflects that the vast majority of self-employed people are aware of the need to, despite the uncertainty on the market
Interestingly, more and more self-employed people are also investing in security. In 2023, 65 percent had arranged something for when they become disabled, now 72 percent have. The number of self-employed people with pension provisions also increased, from 85 to 88 percent.
Half of the self-employed took an education or course in the past two years. Two years ago, the figure was 45 percent. In addition, 36 percent invested in new or improved products or services, a quarter of which involved the use of artificial intelligence.
Regulatory burden is bigger thorn in side
By 2025, 41 percent say keeping up with developments in laws and regulations feels tough. Two years ago, the figure was 39 percent. The number of self-employed people who experience the number of rules and agencies involved as too great has also risen slightly: from 41 to 44 percent. Not a critical increase, but a development that continues to wriggle under the skin and will undoubtedly rise further, unless - as many self-employed people point out - there is, for example, a better legal entrenchment for the position of self-employed workers.
Platforms gaining ground, but remain limited
In 2025, 7.8 percent of the self-employed recruit assignments through digital platforms. In 2023, the figure was 5.7 percent. Of platform users, 21 percent now derive almost all of their revenue (90 to 100 percent) from that channel. In 2023, the figure was 15 percent. Platforms such as our own Striive provide a place where both supply and demand come together effectively.
Enforcement impact study.
It should be clear: the shifts in the self-employed population, partly as a result of enforcement on false self-employment by the Tax Administration, continue. Yet there is still a need to get a grip on the real impact of enforcement on false self-employment on self-employed workers and clients. HeadFirst Group has therefore joined forces with various market organizations and has started a sector-wide study into the impact of enforcement on, for example, the findability of new assignments.
Finally, HeadFirst Group, in cooperation with knowledge partner ZiPconomy and ONL voor Ondernemers, is working on a fifth report on the zzp-dossier. In this report, all relevant facts and figures about the self-employed will be clearly explained. We expect to publish the report in September. Curious about the previous report? Read it here.
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Questions about this? Please contact us.
Sem Overduin
Public Policy & Affairs Manager
Sem.Overduin@headfirst.nl
Oifik Youssefi
Public Affairs Officer
Oifik.Youssefi@headfirst.nl
Maaike van Driel
Head of Legal
Maaike.vanDriel@headfirst.group
Thomas ten Veldhuijs
Senior Legal Counsel
Thomas.tenVeldhuijs@headfirst.nl