Economic Sustainability of Dutch Four-Day Work Week Under Scrutiny
Amsterdam, Thursday, 12 February 2026.
Despite the popularity of the four-day work week, economists warn the Dutch model is unsustainable, citing stagnant productivity and acute labor shortages in Europe’s shortest average work week.
Labor Market Tightens as Work Hours Stagnate
Data released today, February 12, 2026, by Statistics Netherlands (CBS) underscores the severity of the labor crunch facing the Dutch economy. The total labor force has reached 10,229,000, yet the unemployment rate stands at a mere 3.9% [1]. While high employment figures typically signal economic health, they present a unique challenge in the Netherlands, where the average work week is just 32.1 hours—the lowest in the European Union, which averages 36 hours [2]. This discrepancy results in a weekly productivity gap of 3.9 hours per worker compared to the EU average, a deficit that economists argue is exacerbating labor shortages.
The Productivity Paradox
The debate centers on whether working fewer hours can be offset by higher efficiency. Daniela Glocker, an economist at the OECD, notes that while Dutch productivity is historically high, it has effectively flatlined, showing no growth over the past 15 years [2]. Conversely, the FNV, the Netherlands’ largest union, is actively lobbying the government to officially recommend the four-day work week, arguing that reduced hours lead to productivity gains through lower absenteeism [2]. Proponents point to success stories like Positivity Branding, where founders Gavin Arm and Bert de Wit implemented a 32-hour work week for full pay in 2019; seven years later, they maintain that the model has improved staff retention [2].
Cultural Hurdles and Part-Time Norms
The reluctance to increase working hours is deeply rooted in Dutch culture. The Netherlands holds the highest share of part-time workers in the OECD, with nearly half the workforce employed less than full-time [2]. Peter Hein van Mulligen of the CBS describes this as “institutionalised conservatism,” particularly regarding gender roles [2]. A 2024 study revealed that one in three Dutch citizens believes mothers with children aged three or younger should work a maximum of one day per week, limiting the potential labor supply from this demographic [2].
Evolving Work Models
While total hours remain low, the flexibility of where work happens has shifted dramatically. New figures indicate that hybrid working has stabilized as a structural component of the Dutch economy. In 2025, 61% of employees had the option to work remotely, a significant increase from just 22% in 2012 [3]. This represents a growth in hybrid work availability of 177.273 percent over the period. Currently, 80% of companies facilitate remote work, with adoption reaching as high as 98% in the real estate sector and 95% in financial services [3]. However, as business leaders seek to balance this flexibility with the need for increased economic output, the tension between lifestyle preferences and GDP growth remains a critical policy challenge.