The pay rate for freelancers in the Netherlands has fallen for its third straight year according to research from freelancer platform hoofdkraan.nl.

In 2016, freelancers earned an average of €43 per hour, down from €44 an hour in 2015. The research was based on information from more than 13,500 quotations. The research states that the biggest losers are the self-employed from the Management & Organizational sector. They earned 16% less than last year. Almost all sectors showed a decline in the hourly rate, excluding translators and the Financial & Administrative sector. They earned 2% and 6% more than last year, respectively.

Freelancer earnings varied by region. Freelancers in the Drenthe region charged the lowest rate. Of the cities, Utrecht freelancers charged the highest, with an hourly rate of €47 and The Hague had the lowest with €40. 

Niels Goossens, director of Hoofdkraan.nl is not surprised by the outcome of the investigation. He expects next year’s change in legislation surrounding hiring freelancers will have more impact on freelance rates in the Netherlands.

Despite the pay reduction, Goossens believe that flexible working is still worthwhile. "Freelancers fit with the current economy and the way people want to work.”