In 2022 the unemployment rate in Amsterdam was *** percent, a decrease of *** percentage points compared to the previous year. This comes after an increase of the unemployment rate, as from 2019 to 2021, the rate increased from *** percent to *** percent. Before that, unemployment had decreased from *** percent in 2013.

Is the unemployment rate similar between all provinces?

The unemployment rate was not similar for all provinces in 2020. The national average in the Netherlands was *** percent. The province of Amsterdam lies in North-Holland, which saw the same unemployment rate in 2020 as the Dutch average of *** percent, *** percent lower than that of Amsterdam. The highest local unemployment rate was in the province of Groningen, which includes the city of Groningen, with a *** percent unemployment rate, *** percent more than any other province in the Netherlands. The lowest unemployment rate in 2020 was in Zeeland, which includes the city of Middelburg, with a mere three percent.

How do the unemployment rate trends of Amsterdam compare to the Netherlands?

The unemployment rate for the Netherlands has always followed a very similar trend to that of Amsterdam. The Netherlands saw high unemployment rates in 2005 and 2014, while Amsterdam's were high in 2004, 2005, and 2013. Notably, the unemployment rate for Amsterdam is consistently higher than in the Netherlands. The Dutch unemployment rate high was **** percent in 2005, compared to an ***** percent peak in Amsterdam at the same time. Similarly, Dutch unemployment peaked at **** percent in 2014, while Amsterdam's height was *** percent in 2013 and was hit harder than the rest of the country by the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic than the Netherlands.

Unemployment Rate in Netherlands remained unchanged at 3.80 percent in June. This dataset provides - Netherlands Unemployment Rate - actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

This table contains monthly, quarterly and yearly figures on the labour participation and unemployment in the Netherlands. The population of 15 to 75 years old (excluding the institutionalized population) is divided into the employed, the unemployed and the people who are not in in the labour force. The different groups are further broken down by sex and age. Next to the original monthly figures on the labour force you can also find monthly figures that are seasonally adjusted.

Data available from: January 2003

Status of the figures: The figures in this table are final.

Changes as of 19 June 2025: The figures for May 2025 have been added

When will new figures be published? New figures on the most recent month are published monthly, in the third week of the month.

Netherlands - Unemployment rate was 3.90% in March of 2025, according to the EUROSTAT. Trading Economics provides the current actual value, an historical data chart and related indicators for Netherlands - Unemployment rate - last updated from the EUROSTAT on August of 2025. Historically, Netherlands - Unemployment rate reached a record high of 8.70% in March of 2014 and a record low of 3.40% in June of 2022.

In 2024, the unemployment rate in the Netherlands was 3.6 percent. Between 1991 and 2024, the figure dropped by 3.69 percentage points, though the decline followed an uneven course rather than a steady trajectory.

The number of recipients of unemployment benefits has fluctuated significantly since 2000. Between 2000 and 2009 the number of recipients decreased from 50,000, which was the highest in the past 20 years, to 31,000. In 2021, the number of recipients increased to 43,000 following the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, before decreasing to 40,000 people receiving unemployment benefits in 2022.

This statistic shows the total population of the Netherlands from 2020 to 2024, with projections up until 2030. In 2024, the total population of the Netherlands was around 17.94 million people. Population of the Netherlands Despite its small size, the Netherlands is the twenty-third smallest nation in the European Union, and it is one of the most important nations in Europe and the world. The Netherlands is a founding member of the European Union, a member of the Group of Ten, and NATO. The total population of the Netherlands has rapidly increased over the past decade. Between 2004 and 2014, the total population increased by around 600 thousand people, currently estimated to be around 16.9 million altogether. The biggest cities in the Netherlands include Amsterdam, Rotterdam, and The Hague, with Amsterdam alone being home to almost 800 thousand residents. Among other factors, the Netherlands' increasing population is due to high life expectancy, economic growth and job opportunities. In 2011, the population of the Netherlands grew by around 0.47 percent in comparison to 2010. That same year, life expectancy at birth in the Netherlands was a little over 81 years, the highest recorded life expectancy since 2001. In addition, the unemployment rate in the Netherlands is one of the lowest unemployment rates in all of Europe.

This statistic shows the degree of urbanization in the Netherlands from 2013 to 2023 and details the percentage of the entire population, living in urban areas. In 2023, 93.18 percent of the total population of the Netherlands lived in cities. Population of the Netherlands The Netherlands is a developed country with a high standard of living. Owing to a fairly steady fertility rate, the total population of the Netherlands has only slightly increased over the past decade. A look at the population growth in the Netherlands shows that growth has been less than 1 percent at some points, and has even decreased to less than 0.5 percent at other intervals over the past few years. Population density in the Netherlands has increased very slightly accordingly, with the majority of the population living in cities, the largest being Amsterdam in terms of residents, closely followed by Rotterdam. The median age of the Netherlands’ population (i.e. one half of the population is older, while the other one is younger) has increased significantly since the 1980s, which is indicative of a high life expectancy among inhabitants. The Netherlands is currently ranked 16th on a ranking of the 20 countries with the highest life expectancy worldwide. The Netherlands is also among the countries with the highest GDP in the world, and is thus one of the leading economies. The majority of the workforce is employed in the services sector, generating the majority of gross domestic product. The labor force of the Netherlands consists of more than 8 million employed persons, and the unemployment rate has been increasing since the economic crisis in 2008. The crisis has also been visible in the inflation rate in the Netherlands over the past few years; on the other hand, trade balance figures show that the Dutch economy has been recovering steadily.

Part one: macro economic time series. OECD national accounts (cu=current prices, co=constant prices): gross domestic product cu/co / private consumption cu/co / increase in stocks cu/co / gross fixed capital formation cu/co / consumption of fixed capital cu / imports cu/co / exports cu/co / compensation of employees cu / operating surplus cu / net indirect taxes cu. OECD labour force statistics: number of unemployed / civilian employment / employment in manufacturing / total labour force / number of employees / unemployment percentage. ILO yearbook of labour statistics: average hourly earnings in manufacturing / weekly hours actually worked in manufacturing. IMF international financial statistics: exchange rate with us dollar / consumer price index / percentage change in money and quasi-money / percentage change in money stock / money supply index. UN industrial statistics: unit value of world manufacturing exports (us dollar) / Grubb, Jackman, Layard ( 1982 ): trend productivity growth (1957-80) (NETH, US) / trend productivity level (1960-80) (NETH)/ unit value of world manufacturing exports (dollar) (NETH) / productivity level index (1957-80) (US). Netherlands only, monthly social statistics: minimum wage (dfl per week) / total wages and salaries for employees. Netherlands only, national accounts: total social security contributions by employers / total unemployment benefits / total employment volume (self-employed+employees) / total employee employment volume . Netherlands only, central economic plan: netto investments in fixed activa of firms / gross national product in factorcosts in firms / gross national product in firms (mp-cp 1980) / BTW firms (excl dlfst) fk-lp / employment costs in firms (excl dlfst.) (cu) / employmentvolume in firms (excl dlfst.) / employmentvolume employees in firms (excl dlfst.) / total wage bill / social security benefits / pension and life insurance benefits / direct taxes (tb) / social security premiums / pension and life insurance premiums. United States only: coefficient of variation in labour costs (1960-83) federal minimum wage per hour in dollars (1960-83) ( staus ). Part two: meso-economic time series. compensation per employee and number of wage earners per economic sector/branche. Netherlands only: sectoral rwg data cbs / ilo en cpb: BTW in market prices / BTW in factor costs / wages and social premiums / implicit deflator btwfk / total employment volume / employment volume wage-earners / labour-hours per week / gross incomes per hour (sector classification Muysken en Nijkamp (1984)).

Data derived from weekly public opinion polls in the Netherlands in 1976 concerning social and political issues. Samples were drawn from the Dutch population aged 18 years and older.All data from the surveys held between 1962 and 2000 are available in the DANS data collections.Background variables:Sex / age / religion / income / vote recall latest elections / party preference / level of education / union membership / professional status / < self > left-right rating / party alignment / province / degree of urbanization / weight factor.Topical variables:n7602: Renting versus buying a house / New measures enabling people with low incomes to obtain full mortgage / Preference for a house of one's own or a rented house / Mortgage / Importance of public opinion research.n7604: Resignation of the Amsterdam aldermen H. Lammers and respondent van Duyn / Confidence in the Den Uyl administration / Confidence in the mayor of Amsterdam, Mr. Samkalden.n7605: Confidence in the Den Uyl administration / < Open > letter from directors of nine major Dutch companies to parliament and the council of ministers concerning tax reduction, social security contributions and the investment climate / Snap elections.n7607: Left-right rating of PvdA and VVD / Confidence in the Den Uyl administration / Preferred next prime minister / Snap elections.n7608: Party preference next parliamentary elections / Confidence in the Den Uyl administration / Snap elections / Main tasks of the Den Uyl administration / Work Council Act.n7610: Preference for a monarchy or a republic / Involvement of Prince Bernhard in Lockheed transaction / Expected results of the Commit- tee of inquiry in Lockheed transaction.n7611: Involvement of Prince Bernhard in Lockheed transaction.n7612: Influence of the Lockheed transaction on preference for a republic instead of a monarchy / Role of Prince Bernhard in Lockheed transaction / Expected results of the committee of inquiry in Lockheed transaction / Support for income policy based on maintenance of social and community services / Responsibility of government, instead of employers and unions, for income policy / Occupational status.n7615: Occupational status / Social security / Alliance between Christian-democratic parties KVP, ARP, CHU, and preferred CDA party leader / Old-age pensions < AOW >.n7616: Influence of the Lockheed transaction on preference for a republic instead of a monarchy / Involvement of Prince Bernhard in Lockheed transaction / Expected results of the committee of inquiry in Lockheed transaction / Alliance between Christian-democratic parties, KVP, ARP, CHU and preferred CDA party leader.n7617: Alliance between Christian-democratic parties KVP, ARP, CHU, and preferred CDA party leader / Time spent on listening to radio programs at the channels Hilversum, 1, 2, 3, and 4 / Preferred coalition to suppress inflation.n7620: Changes in policy after next parliamentary elections / Importance of voting / Voting intention at next parliamentary elections / Preferred policy concerning income / Strike actions for complete index linking.n7621: Influence of the Lockheed transaction on preference for a republic instead of a monarchy / Role of Prince Bernhard in Lockheed transaction / Confidence in the Den Uyl administration / Confidence in PvdA and the PvdA party manifesto.n7622: Voting intention at a progressive center party and preferred leadership of such a party / Capital Growth Sharing Act < VAD > / profit sharing.n7623: Occupational status of respondent and/or respondent's partner / Expectations concerning unemployment / Willingness to renounce a salary increase for improvement of economy and reduction of unemployment.n7625: Confidence in the Den Uyl administration and in minister van Agt and minister Lubbers / Policy towards abortion < -clinic at Heemstede > / Policy towards boycott of South-Africa / Taking side in conflict between whites and negroes in South-Africa and Rhodesia < Zimbabwe >.n7626: Alliance of KVP, ARP, CHU, and its preferred leadership / housing shortage, air pollution and water pollution / Social stratification by respondent / Satisfaction with income / Influence of the Lockheed transaction on preference for a republic instead of a monarchy / Role of Prince Bernhard in Lockheed transaction / Committee of inquiry in Lockheed transactions.n7638: Confidence in the Den Uyl administration, and in minister Lubbers and in minister Van Agt / Political left-right self rating / Obligation to pay alimony / Contact between father and children after a divorce / Preference for marriage, living together, other kind of relationship or no relationship.n7640: Political left-right self rating / Acts with retroactive effect / Policy towards abortion / The Queen's speech < Troonrede > and national budget < "Miljoenennota" > / Confidence in the Den Uyl administration / Expectations concerning national economy and unemployment.n7641: Political left-right self rating / Left-right rating of political parties /...

Data derived from weekly public opinion polls in the Netherlands in 1975 concerning social and political issues. Samples were drawn from the Dutch population aged 18 years and older.All data from the surveys held between 1962 and 2000 are available in the DANS data collections.Background variables:Sex / age / religion / income / vote recall latest elections / party preference / level of education / union membership / professional status / left-right rating / party alignment / province / degree of urbanization / weight factor.Topical variables:n7503: Exemption from military service on grounds of conscience / Objections against ministers and aldermen who belong to the Communist Party .n7505: Respondents' and/or respondent's partner gross and net income / Taxes and premiums for social services / Respondent's opinion about Amsterdam / Preference for shopping at Thursday evening and/or Saturday afternoon.n7507: Respondents' and/or respondent's partner gross and net income / Familiarity with ministers and state secretaries of the Den Uyl administration / Preference for particular ministers and state secretaries of the Den Uyl administration.n7508: Situation of Dutch trade and industry / Expectations concerning unemployment and reduction of working hours, and information sources on which respondent's opinions are founded / Influence of church and religion on Dutch society.n7510: Means of transportation, at going to work, school, or going for shopping.n7511: Evictions in Amsterdam , in favour of the construction of a subway.n7514: Proposals concerning minimum and maximum wages / Income of prime-minister, members of parliament and family doctors.n7516: Alliance of KVP, ARP and CHU into CDA / Continuation of Commemoration of the Dead and Liberation Day .n7518: Adjustment of income policy to the employment situation / PvdA convention concerning peace and security / NATO membership and acquisition of military airplanes / Respondent's length and weight.n7519: Spring-cleaning / Assistance of respondent's partner in doing the housekeeping / Housekeeping money / "Year of the women" / Familiarity with "A"- and "B"- products / Familiarity with and support of charity institutions.n7522: Decentralization of government departments.n7523: Independence of Surinam / Financial support for Surinam after independence / Settlement of Surinam citizens in the Netherlands after independence / Having a PTT letterbox on the road.n7525: Confidence in the Den Uyl administration / Left-right rating of the Den Uyl administration / Demanding of male - versus female work / Working outside the home and having children.n7527: Happiness and satisfaction concerning life in general / Satisfaction about respondent's possibilities to go out / Use of bicycle, motorcycle, car, public transport / Having a season ticket for train, bus and tram.n7541: Financing radio and TV programs / TV commercials and TV license fees / Enactment against misleading advertising / Political propaganda / Membership on reduced subscription of broadcasting corporations .n7542: Expectations concerning unemployment / Main causes of unemployment / Unemployment pays / Respondent's expectations concerning own employment.n7544: Adjustment of income policy to the employment situation / Influence of unions on income policy / Social services / Refusing non-suitable work / Expectations concerning unemployment / The government's attitude towards trade and industry / Profits of Dutch companies.n7545: TV watching and TV commercials / TV commercials and TV license fees / TV commercials at Sunday / Favourite newspapers, TV programs / Comparison of regimes in Spain and East-Germany.n7546: Employee earning an average income / Works council / Capital Growth Sharing Act .n7547: Interest in politics / Foundation of political convictions.n7548: Disclosure of preferred coalition by political parties, before or after elections / Coalition preference / Alliance of Christian Democratic parties CHU, ARP and KVP / Importance of public opinion research.n7549: Disclosure of preferred coalition by political parties, before or after elections / Coalition preference / Alliance of Christian Democratic parties / Importance of public opinion research.n7551: Migration / Hijacking by Moluccans and the role of the government.n7552: Familiarity with and confidence in political parties, politicians and union leaders / Irritation about specific radio and TV programs. Data derived from weekly public opinion polls in the Netherlands concerning social and political issues. Samples were drawn from the Dutch population aged 21 or 18 years and older. The weekly data are available as separate files in annual records, containing overviews of the standard background variables as well as the topical variables.The dataset 'NIPO weeksurveys 1962-2000 (Creator: R.N. Eisinga, Radboud Universiteit Nijmegen' ) contains a cumulative datafile with a selection of the standard background variables: political party vote last election / political party vote intention / left-right political self-rating / union membership / sex / age / religious denomination / education / income / occupational status / province / municipality size and codes / postal code.

Exposure to mass-media / political interest / opinion leadership / sense of political efficacy ( local level ) / information on persons in local political bodies / need for public utilities / satisfaction with activities of local political authorities / opinions on the unemployment rate, on living conditions, on the business-climate / cooperation with other political organizations / the efficacy of political protest actions / actual activism at national and local level / vote motivation / attitude to the relation between politics and religion / the effectiveness of local political organization / organizational membership / opinions on level of welfare. Background variables: basic characteristics/ place of birth/ residence/ household characteristics/ place of work/ occupation/employment/ income/capital assets/ education/ politics/ religion/ readership, mass media, and 'cultural' exposure/ organizational membership

The statistic shows the inflation rate in the Netherlands from 1987 to 2024, with projections up until 2030. The inflation rate is calculated using the price increase of a defined product basket. This product basket contains products and services, on which the average consumer spends money throughout the year. They include expenses for groceries, clothes, rent, power, telecommunications, recreational activities and raw materials (e.g. gas, oil), as well as federal fees and taxes. In 2024, the average inflation rate in the Netherlands was about 3.22 percent compared to the previous year. Economy of the Netherlands The Netherlands has an open economy, which implies that the country is highly dependent on foreign activities, such as imports and exports. The country’s economic policies and regulations have allowed for the country to highly benefit from strong international relations, however have increased the chances of economic struggles that correspond with the economic situations in other countries as well. The Netherlands is one of the main countries for foreign direct investments in Europe due to its strategic location, superior technological infrastructure as well as international business environment, a reputation that has all but grown more formidable over the years. Additionally, the country’s tourism industry makes up a rather large part of its GDP. Despite feeling the effects of the global financial crisis of 2008 as well as the Eurozone crisis, many aspects of the Dutch economy are highly prosperous, most notably with its low inflation rates. Unemployment within the country, in spite of a slight increase over the past several years, has remained relatively low in comparison many other European countries that were equally as affected by recession.

Continuous items for most waves / watching tv / reading newspapers / taking part in discussions on political issues / political knowledge / political participation / party preference / questions concerning importance of different political issues / left and right in politics. Tolerance to working women / advantages and disadvantages of being unemployed, unemployment / problems in neighbourhood / rough play in soccer, vandalism / political and social rights of foreigner Background variables: basic characteristics/ residence/ household characteristics/ occupation/employment/ income/capital assets/ education/ social class/ politics/ religion

This statistic shows the largest urban settlements in the Netherlands in 2021. In 2021, around 1.13 million people lived in Amsterdam, making it the largest city in the Netherlands. Population of the Netherlands With the global financial crisis in 2008 as well as the Euro zone crisis, many countries in Europe suffered a great economic impact. In spite of the crisis, the Netherlands maintained a stable economy over the past decade. The country's unemployment rate, for example, has been kept at a relatively low level in comparison to other countries in Europe also affected by the economic crisis. In 2014, Spain had an unemployment rate of more than 25 percent. The Netherlands' population has also seen increases in growth in comparison to previous years, with the figures slowly decreasing since 2011. As a result of the increase in population, the degree of urbanization - which is the share of the population living in urban areas - has increased, while the size of the labor force in the Netherlands has been relatively stable over the past decade. The population density of inhabitants per square kilometer in the Netherlands has also increased. Large cities in the Netherlands have experienced the impact of the population density growth and increase in the size of the labor force first hand. Three cities in the Netherlands have over half a million residents (as can be seen above). Additionally, more and more visitors are coming to the kingdom: The number of tourists in the Netherlands has increased significantly since 2001, a change which has also impacted the country's metropolises. Due to its location and affordable accommodation prices, the country’s tourism industry is developing and the largest cities in the Netherlands are taking advantage of it.

In the year 1800, the population of the region which makes up the present-day Netherlands was approximately two million people. The beginning of the 19th century was a tumultuous time in Dutch history, as the region had recently been annexed by Revolutionary France; however the United Kingdom of the Netherlands was eventually established in 1815 (which also included present-day Belgium and Luxembourg) and a period of economic growth, modernization and high quality of life followed. In spite of this economic prosperity, religious tensions between the predominantly Catholic south and Protestant north led to a split in the kingdom in 1839, where it was eventually partitioned into Belgium, Luxembourg and the Netherlands, along borders very similar to today's. Rapid modernization and liberalization continued throughout the 19th century, and in 1900 the population of the Netherlands was over five million people.

Early 20th century The Netherlands was free to continue economic expansion, both in the metropole and in its colonies, uninterrupted for much of the first half of the 20th century (partly facilitated by its neutrality in the First World War). This resulted in a steady rise in population, which doubled to ten million within half a century. Population growth would even continue throughout the Second World War, as the Netherlands would be spared from much of the casualty-heavy conflicts seen in neighboring countries; however, most estimates concur that approximately 210,000 Dutch people died as a result of the war, half of which were Jews murdered in the Holocaust. The war also saw the end of Dutch colonization in the East Indies, as Japan annexed the region of present-day Indonesia in 1942; although the Dutch tried to re-colonize the region after the war, Indonesia became an officially recognized independent nation in 1949.

Netherlands today Population growth in the Netherlands would continue largely uninterrupted in the post-war years, until the 1970s, when it began to slow as Western Europe experienced periods of recession and high unemployment. Improvements in contraceptives and education also saw birth rates fall at their fastest ever rates in the 1970s. Following the recovery of the Dutch economy in the 1990s, population growth would resume once more, continuing steadily into the 21th century. In 2020, the Netherlands is estimated to have a population of just over 17 million people, making it one of the most densely populated countries in the world. For its size, the Netherlands has one of the strongest economies globally, and often ranks among the highest in terms of development, freedom and quality of life.

Determination of relations between intelligence, social background, school career and occupation, level of occupation and income on the basis of a survey held in 1952 ( by the authorities of the province of Noord-Brabant ) of pupils of 6th grade of primary schools. Follow-ups in 1957, 1983 and 1993. School career and occupational career from 6th grade of primary school / kind of primary school / family situation / advice from teacher and wish of parents for secondary education / results of tests / for each year: type of education plus results / looking for job, expectations / wishes regarding no. working hours / fitting of r's job and r's education / r's position on the labour market / components of income. Specific items in 1993: changes in labour market position after age of 40 / percentages of working, out of work, disabled, non-working and self-employed / amounts of time and money still spent on company-schooling and courses / changes of employer / unemployment / educational level partner and children / satisfaction with work and life in general / health / risk avoidance. Background variables: basic characteristics/ household characteristics/ characteristics of parental family/household/ occupation/employment/ income/capital assets/ education/ social class/ religion.

GPD newspaper survey, the state of the nation. Who takes care of r.'s children / educational level of people r. meets every day / job security, preferred number of working hours / if r. unemployed: looking for a job, required salary, nr. of working hours, reason not looking for a job / social contacts in neighbourhood, support from relatives, friends, neighbours / perception of age: who is old, who is young / security in neighbourhood, experience with crime / time spent on common daily activities, hobbies, social activities etc. / housekeeping expenses / comparative level of r.'s salary, acceptable level of income / lower income to keep job / adequacy of unemployment benefits / wished versus expected age of retirement / important matters in life, religiosity / contacts with people with other religion / religious beliefs, meaning of life / satisfaction with government / health complaints: detailed / job satisfaction / medical consumption / problems with finance, health, relatives, work, study, sleep, sex / use of emergency number, sex lines / psychiatric problems in family / practising sports / self-esteem, loneliness, suicidal tendency / consumption of alcohol, tobacco, tranquillizers, sedatives, vitamins, drugs / possession of pets, reason why / satisfaction with life now and in past expectations / sexual inclination / ideas about marriage, chance for divorce / preferred way of dying / experience with general practitioner / offences by r., dishonesty, criminal behaviour / confidence in people. Background variables: basic characteristics/ residence/ household characteristics/ place of work/ occupation/employment/ income/capital assets/ education/ politics/ religion/ organizational membership

Third wave of the European election studies 1989 contains information about interest in and knowledge of several aspects of European Community and voting behaviour/intentions, short after the European elections 1989. date and duration of interview, persons present at interview, cooperation of respondent / being entitled to vote / participation in European elections 1989 ( EE89 ) and party choice / reasons for not voting / party choice in EE89 based on domestic or european reasons / vote EE89 expresses attitude to national government / intended electoral participation in national elections and intended party choice / participation and party choice in last national elections / European Parliament party group 1984 of the party choice of EE89 and European Parliament party group 1989 of the party choice of EE89 / probability to vote for parties at national elections / interest of respondent in European elections campaign / campaign information sources / campaign related activities like reading, watching television, listening to the radio, talking with other people / detailed information about campaign on television / impression of European Parliament and the Commission of the European Community / has heard of the Single European Market ( SEM ) and the European summit / success of European summit / cooperation of the members of the European Parliament ( MEP ) should be based on national arguments or on political arguments / national decision or European Community ( EC ) decision in case of: environment, energy supply, development aid, unemployment, fight against poverty, regional development, defense, currency, health and social welfare, cooperation with 3rd world, education, massmedia, science and technology, rates of value added tax ( VAT ), foreign policy, industrial relations, privacy protection / for or against european unification / membership of EC is good or bad / own country benefits from EC / feelings about dissolution of EC / opinion about SEM / EC is considered ( not ) important / do viable alternatives exist for EC / importance of several issues: 4 national issues/ unemployment/ stable prices/ european unification/ arms limitation/ agricultural surplus/ environment/ Turkey in EC/ realization of SEM/ energy supply/ development aid/ poverty/ regional development / Inglehart's materialist post-materialist index / left-right position and political interest of respondent / subjective left-right position of national parties / satisfaction with democracy / does EC work democratically / ( dis )approve of national government / first and second preferred government over current one / importance of elected institutes / party attachment: strength and direction / age when respondent left school / size of firm and number of people supervised by respondent / former occupation / respondents condition better-worse in 5 years / more-less satisfied then 5 years ago / life satisfaction. Background variables: basic characteristics/ residence/ housing situation/ household characteristics/ occupation/employment/ income/capital assets/ education/ social class/ politics/ religion/ readership, mass media, and 'cultural' exposure/ organizational membership