Share of agriculture in total employment in Netherlands
Netherlands: Share of agriculture in total employment was 2.9% in 2011. ◆ Volatile
Latest (2011)
2.9%
Change on year
down 3.3%
World rank
36th
of 44 countries
All-time high
43.1%
in 1807
All-time low
2.9%
in 2011
Years of data
62
1807–2011
Share of agriculture in total employment in Netherlands, 1807–2011
Source: Herrendorf et al. and Groningen Growth and Development Centre (2015) – processed by Our World in Data. Measured in %.
Analysis
In 2011, share of agriculture in total employment in Netherlands stood at 2.9%. That is the lowest value across all 62 years on record.
That represents a change of down 3.3% on the previous year and down 17.1% over ten years.
Over the whole period, share of agriculture in total employment in Netherlands peaked at 43.1% in 1807 and was at its lowest, 2.9%, in 2011.
Netherlands ranks 36th of 44 countries on this measure, in the bottom quarter.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Share of agriculture in total employment in Netherlands, year by year
| Year | % | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1807 | 43.1% | — |
| 1849 | 40.3% | -6.5% |
| 1859 | 40.4% | +0.2% |
| 1889 | 36.5% | -9.7% |
| 1899 | 34.1% | -6.6% |
| 1909 | 30.4% | -10.9% |
| 1920 | 23.6% | -22.4% |
| 1930 | 19.8% | -16.1% |
| 1947 | 18.7% | -5.6% |
| 1949 | 14.9% | -20.3% |
| 1960 | 9.9% | -33.6% |
| 1961 | 9.7% | -2.0% |
| 1962 | 9.1% | -6.2% |
| 1963 | 8.7% | -4.4% |
| 1964 | 8.3% | -4.6% |
| 1965 | 7.7% | -7.2% |
| 1966 | 7.5% | -2.6% |
| 1967 | 6.9% | -8.0% |
| 1968 | 6.3% | -8.7% |
| 1969 | 6.0% | -4.8% |
| 1970 | 5.8% | -3.3% |
| 1971 | 5.9% | +1.7% |
| 1972 | 5.8% | -1.7% |
| 1973 | 5.7% | -1.7% |
| 1974 | 5.7% | +0.0% |
| 1975 | 5.6% | -1.8% |
| 1976 | 5.5% | -1.8% |
| 1977 | 5.4% | -1.8% |
| 1978 | 5.2% | -3.7% |
| 1979 | 5.1% | -1.9% |
| 1980 | 5.1% | +0.0% |
| 1981 | 5.2% | +2.0% |
| 1982 | 5.3% | +1.9% |
| 1983 | 5.2% | -1.9% |
| 1984 | 5.1% | -1.9% |
| 1985 | 4.9% | -3.9% |
| 1986 | 4.8% | -2.0% |
| 1987 | 4.7% | -2.1% |
| 1988 | 4.6% | -2.1% |
| 1989 | 4.4% | -4.3% |
| 1990 | 4.4% | +0.0% |
| 1991 | 4.4% | +0.0% |
| 1992 | 4.4% | +0.0% |
| 1993 | 4.2% | -4.5% |
| 1994 | 4.1% | -2.4% |
| 1995 | 4.0% | -2.4% |
| 1996 | 4.0% | +0.0% |
| 1997 | 3.9% | -2.5% |
| 1998 | 3.7% | -5.1% |
| 1999 | 3.6% | -2.7% |
| 2000 | 3.5% | -2.8% |
| 2001 | 3.5% | +0.0% |
| 2002 | 3.5% | +0.0% |
| 2003 | 3.4% | -2.9% |
| 2004 | 3.4% | +0.0% |
| 2005 | 3.3% | -2.9% |
| 2006 | 3.2% | -3.0% |
| 2007 | 3.1% | -3.1% |
| 2008 | 3.0% | -3.2% |
| 2009 | 3.0% | +0.0% |
| 2010 | 3.0% | +0.0% |
| 2011 | 2.9% | -3.3% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1800s | 43.1% | 43.1% | 43.1% | 1 |
| 1840s | 40.3% | 40.3% | 40.3% | 1 |
| 1850s | 40.4% | 40.4% | 40.4% | 1 |
| 1880s | 36.5% | 36.5% | 36.5% | 1 |
| 1890s | 34.1% | 34.1% | 34.1% | 1 |
| 1900s | 30.4% | 30.4% | 30.4% | 1 |
| 1920s | 23.6% | 23.6% | 23.6% | 1 |
| 1930s | 19.8% | 19.8% | 19.8% | 1 |
| 1940s | 16.8% | 14.9% | 18.7% | 2 |
| 1960s | 8.0% | 6.0% | 9.9% | 10 |
| 1970s | 5.6% | 5.1% | 5.9% | 10 |
| 1980s | 4.9% | 4.4% | 5.3% | 10 |
| 1990s | 4.1% | 3.6% | 4.4% | 10 |
| 2000s | 3.3% | 3.0% | 3.5% | 10 |
| 2010s | 3.0% | 2.9% | 3.0% | 2 |
Countries ranked near Netherlands
More agriculture & rural data for Netherlands
- Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, value added (current US$), annual 6.75 % change on previous year (2025)
- Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, value added (current US$), per 0.0168 current US$ per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, value added (current US$), per 1,240 current US$ per person (2025)
- Rural population, annual growth rate -6.37 % change on previous year (2025)
- Rural population, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Rural population, per capita 0.0406 units per person (2025)
- Share of GDP from agriculture 1.7% (2025)
- Agriculture as a share of GDP vs. GDP per capita 1.7% (2025)
- Agricultural raw materials exports 2.8% (2024)
- Agricultural raw materials imports 1.4% (2024)
Frequently asked questions
- What is share of agriculture in total employment in Netherlands?
- Share of agriculture in total employment in Netherlands was 2.9% in 2011, according to Herrendorf et al. and Groningen Growth and Development Centre (2015) – processed by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest share of agriculture in total employment recorded in Netherlands?
- The highest recorded value was 43.1% in 1807.
- What is the lowest share of agriculture in total employment recorded in Netherlands?
- The lowest recorded value was 2.9% in 2011.
- How does Netherlands rank for share of agriculture in total employment?
- Netherlands ranks 36th out of 44 countries with data for 2011.
- Is share of agriculture in total employment rising or falling in Netherlands?
- Over the last ten years it is down 17.1%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Netherlands data come from?
- The figures come from Herrendorf et al. and Groningen Growth and Development Centre (2015) – processed by Our World in Data, published as part of Share of agriculture in total employment. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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