The Four-Day Work Week in the Netherlands: A Sustainable Shift?

Fri Feb 13 2026 00:58:52 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

The Netherlands has embraced the four-day work week, enhancing work-life balance. But is this approach sustainable for the economy in the long run?

As Dutch businesses increasingly adopt a four-day work week, its implications for employee productivity and well-being are scrutinized. With minimal hours worked and high GDP per capita, the Netherlands faces questions about sustainability and productivity growth amidst an ageing workforce and part-time employment trends.

The Dutch have quietly adopted working just a four-day week. But what has been its impact, and can it last?

Your kids are only young once, says Gavin Arm, co-founder of Amsterdam-based small business Positivity Branding.

Arm and his colleague Bert de Wit switched to a four-day week for their company seven years ago, emphasizing that employees did not experience a pay cut or longer hours. The work-life balance was at the heart of it, de Wit asserts, highlighting a cultural shift towards working smarter.

The Dutch government supports reduced work hours; historical trends suggest that employees in the Netherlands work fewer hours compared to their EU counterparts. However, economic productivity has not seen parallel growth. Daniela Glocker of the OECD suggests that for sustainability, productivity or labor supply must increase to maintain living standards.

Currently, nearly half of Dutch employees work part-time, influenced by high social taxes, childcare needs, and cultural attitudes toward gender roles in the workforce. Economists argue that increasing the participation of part-time workers, especially women, could bolster economic activity.

Despite initial skepticism surrounding the practicality of a four-day work week, businesses report positive outcomes such as reduced absenteeism and improved employee morale. Advocates claim it enhances job attractiveness in sectors facing labor shortages.

Ultimately, as Arm puts it, the true measure lies in whether employees find greater happiness and life satisfaction through fewer work hours. The Dutch model continues to stir debate over balancing work-life satisfaction with economic viability.