The Netherlands Center for Occupational Diseases (NCvB) has just published the figures for occupational disease (OD) notifications in the Netherlands for the year 2024. According to the report, 2.583 new cases were reported during the year (+ 34 COVID cases), representing a slight increase for the first time since 2020.

Some 17% more than the previous year, 690 occupational physicians made these declarations: 557 practicing within an occupational health and safety service (OHS), 122 as self-employed, and 11 working both for an OHS service and as self-employed.

In 2024, the sectors recording the highest number of PM declarations will be construction, transport and storage, and wholesale and retail trade. Men are likely to be slightly more affected (52%) than women (48%).

Types of pathologies reported in 2024 :

Musculoskeletal disorders on the rise since 2022

In 2024, 741 musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) were recorded, representing 28% of the total number of occupational diseases, or 151 more than the previous year.

The most frequent pathologies are :

• subacromial pain syndrome: 83 cases,
• tennis elbow: 75 cases,
• carpal tunnel syndrome: 51 cases.

It should be noted that MSDs occur mainly in people over the age of 40 (78% of cases), and often lead to work stoppages: 29% exceed six months, and 10% result in permanent disability. The main risk factors identified are :

• carrying heavy loads (23%),
• repeated arm movements (16%),
• heavy manual effort (11%),
• pushing and pulling (9%),
• kneeling or squatting (6%).

Psychological disorders in 1st position for declared PMs

In 2024, 59% of occupational diseases reported in the Netherlands were linked to psychological disorders, representing 1,543 cases. Overwork, burnout, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) were the most frequent pathologies. In 2024, government and public administration were the sectors most affected.

It should be remembered that the Netherlands has no specific insurance for occupational risks. As a result, the data published by the NCvB, intended primarily for those involved in occupational health prevention in the Netherlands (government, employers, trade unions, occupational health services, etc.), are not comparable with those of other European countries.

In the latter countries, data on occupational diseases are provided by the occupational injury and disease insurance schemes (AT/MP), for which recognition of the occupational nature of a disease gives entitlement to specific benefits which are more advantageous than those granted by the sickness and disability insurance schemes. Today, however, only a handful of European countries recognize psychological disorders as occupational illnesses according to strict criteria*.

Access the report (Dutch)

* “What recognition for work-related psychological pathologies? A study of ten European countries”, EUROGIP Report, 2013. (French)

Graphs 1.1 and 2.1 are taken from the original report, translated into French using DeepL.