The number of trade union members under the age of 45 has increased for the first time in decades, according to new figures from national statistics agency CBS.

Most of the growth came from people aged 25 to 44, whose membership rose by 36,000. The number of members under 25 also went up, by 11,000, while membership among people aged 45 and over continued to fall.

Half of all union members are aged between 45 and the state pension age of 67, but this group has shrunk the fastest since 2023. Membership among those already past retirement age also declined slightly.

In total, just over 1.4 million people now belong to a trade union, 15,000 fewer than last year and the lowest level since 1962. CBS said the overall decline in union membership is slowing compared with previous years.

Older workers tend to be more critical of unions, according to a 2024 survey by the CBS and research institute TNO. Many say membership is too expensive or that unions have little influence, while 61% of younger non-members said they have never considered joining in the first place.

In the Netherlands, trade unions have a key role in formal pay talks. There are two main federations, FNV and CNV, each of which have dozens of members unions.