Volunteers do the equivalent of 560,000 jobs
The Netherlands has 5.5 million volunteers who do work equivalent to 560,000 full time jobs, according to research by the central bank.
Voluntary work has an economic value of up to €20bn a year, the bank says.
In addition, without the 3.5 million people who care for sick friends and relatives, the cost of healthcare would be between €4bn and €7bn higher.
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