Part-time employment continues to grow across Europe as workers seek flexibility and a better work-life balance, though significant differences exist between countries, recent data shows. According to Eurostat, 17.1% of employed people in the European Union worked part-time in 2024, a figure that reflects both changing worker preferences and employer strategies to manage costs and shifting workloads.
Eurostat defines part-time workers as those whose usual working hours are lower than those of comparable full-time employees. The OECD notes that this generally refers to fewer than 30 hours per week, applying to both employees and the self-employed.
Across 33 European countries, the prevalence of part-time work varies widely. Switzerland tops the list at 40.5%, closely followed by the Netherlands at 38.9%. Austria and Germany also see high rates, with roughly three in ten employees working part-time. By contrast, Bulgaria, Romania, Croatia, Slovakia, and Hungary report rates below 5%, highlighting a clear divide between Western and Northern Europe, where part-time work is common, and Eastern and Balkan countries, where full-time employment dominates.
Women, young people, and older workers are more likely to pursue part-time roles. Rasa Mieziene and Sandra Krutuliene from the Lithuanian Centre for Social Sciences explained that countries with high employment rates among these groups tend to have higher levels of part-time work. In the Netherlands, for example, female employment is 12.7 percentage points above the EU average, youth employment exceeds the EU average by more than 40 points, and older worker participation is also well above average. Bulgaria, by comparison, has youth employment less than half of the EU average, contributing to its lower part-time rate.
The sector of employment also plays a role. Part-time positions are most common in service industries, including retail, health, education, and hospitality, where staffing needs fluctuate. In Germany, mini-jobs form a significant segment of the labour market, generating numerous part-time roles. By contrast, Eastern European economies remain more manufacturing-oriented, where full-time employment is standard. Wage levels also influence the prevalence of part-time work, as higher-income countries can support a viable income from reduced hours, while lower-wage economies may not.
Gender differences remain pronounced. Across the EU, 27.8% of women work part-time, compared with 7.7% of men. Switzerland, the Netherlands, and Austria see more than half of women in employment working part-time. Historical factors, including labor market policies and cultural norms regarding care responsibilities, have contributed to these patterns. In the Netherlands, for instance, part-time work grew out of labor shortages in the 1960s and later became a mechanism for women to balance paid work with household duties.
Experts highlight that evolving cultural norms, stagnant wages, limited childcare infrastructure, and flexible labour regulations are likely to sustain the growth of part-time work across Europe in the coming years, particularly for women seeking to balance multiple responsibilities.
