The working population of the Netherlands is growing older, with more people in their 50s in work than in their 30s, figures from the central statistics office CBS show.

It is the first time people in their 50s have outnumbered those in their 30s in the jobs market, the CBS says.

The trend, which began in the 1990 when the first baby-boomers retired, can be seen in the ‘generation index’ produced by the CBS. The index compares the number in each age group. If the result is above 1, there are more 50-somethings in the workforce than 30-somethings.

Last year, the figure went above 1 for the first time. In 2012, it was at 0.99.

The average age of the working population has risen by 2.5 years since 2003 to 41.7 years, according to the CBS. Last year the increase was 0.3 years.

The trend, which began in the 1990 when the first baby-boomers retired, can also been seen in the ‘generation index’ produced by the CBS.