A decade of zzp filings in facts and insights
Ten years of zzp policy under the microscope: facts, trends and future prospects
The zzp dossier is more topical than ever. With the resumed enforcement on false self-employment, new bills and a growing group of self-employed, it is time for an overview. This third report by ZiPconomy, ONL for Entrepreneurs and HeadFirst Group brings together facts, figures and insights from ten years of self-employment policies. An indispensable source for policy makers, politicians and anyone concerned with the future of work.
Tackling false self-employment affects least controversial self-employed workers
The number of self-employed people without personnel (zzp'ers) in the Netherlands will decline slightly between 2023 and 2025 for the first time in years: from 1.21 million to 1.20 million. Interestingly, the contraction is not among the much-discussed group of self-employed who work for companies with few clients, but rather among self-employed who are clearly entrepreneurs. The number of self-employed people selling products fell from 200,000 to 180,000 (-10 percent) and the number of service providers to individuals from 339,000 to 328,000 (-3.2 percent).
Marion van Happen, CEO HeadFirst Group: "Zzp'ers are at the center of the political debate about the labor market, but too often the discussion is based on assumptions rather than facts. Our goal is clear: inform MPs and policy makers with objective figures, to give them more insight into the Dutch self-employed population. For visioning the labor market and making the right policy choices, figures and facts are crucial. With the publication of this report, we are once again providing those." Read the entire press release here.
ZiPtalk, the podcast of ZiPconomy
The relevance of the research for Dutch politics and polder was discussed in ZiPTalk, ZiPconomy's podcast. Sem Overduin joined the discussion on behalf of HeadFirst Group.
What will you find in this report?
1. The self-employed person does exist
- 1.2 million zzp'ers in the Netherlands, accounting for 12.2% of the labor force.
- Most self-employed people consciously choose self-employment: 82% are (very) satisfied.
2. Trends 2015-2025
- Growth of self-employed own labor until 2024, followed by a decline in 2025.
- Vergrijzing én vergroening: sterke toename van 55+ en <35 zzp’ers.
3. Impact of enforcement
- Since 2025, the number of self-employed workers has been declining due to stricter rules around false self-employment.
- Male self-employed and those with lower education are particularly more likely to quit.
4. Flanders as a source of inspiration
- Growth of freelancers in Flanders similar to the Netherlands.
- Differences in social security and tax treatment offer interesting lessons.
5. Amenities and job happiness
- 73% have something arranged for disability.
- 87% save for retirement, often through savings or investments.
- Self-employed people experience less stress and more autonomy than employees.
Partners
