Employment prospects in the Netherlands are expected to rise moderately during the following two years, with job growth rates of 0.8% (88,000 jobs) in 2024 and 0.7% (85,000 jobs) in 2025. According to Rob Witjes, head of labour market information and advisor at the country’s benefits agency, healthcare, welfare, and specialist business services are among the areas likely to see the most substantial growth.
Slowing job growth in the Netherlands, but continuing demand
Despite the optimistic prognosis, Witjes warned that job growth is decreasing compared to past years. “The growth is there,but it is slowing downand willbe significantly lower than in previous years,” he explained. This slowdown is attributable to sluggish economic development and severe labour shortages, which have made it difficult for businesses looking to increase their workforce.
Netherland job growth in particular sectors
While healthcare, welfare, and specialty business services are predicted to have substantial job growth, other sectors such as agriculture, construction, public administration, industry, and transportation and storage are expected to witness stagnant or declining job numbers. The expected employment growth is driven by growing demand rather than employee attrition, distinguishing it from vacancy increases.
Persistent labour market constraints
Witjes identified one of the main concerns as persistent labour market pressure. For the past 2.5 years, there have been more vacancies than unemployed persons, which is a historical anomaly. “This is causing companies anguish. It has a greater impact on them the longer it continues. And the more imaginative they have to be,” Witjes said.
Future rise in vacancies
According to the UWV (the Employee Insurance Agency), vacancies will increase by 0.7% in 2024 and 0.8% in 2025, for a total of around 1.5 million vacancies each year. This is around a 15% rise over 2019, the previous full year before the coronavirus epidemic. Staff shortages, on the other hand, are projected to remain as the population ages and the supply of graduates shrinks.
Effects of immigration policies
According to Witjes, the Netherlands’ intentions to curtail immigration will not help with labour shortages. The new coalition’s manifesto calls for stricter border controls, faster expulsions, limits on family reunification, and changes to temporary residence provisions. The entitlement to permanent residence is set to be removed, and labour immigration, including the residence of foreign students, would be more rigorously controlled. The use of the Dutch language in higher education will be encouraged, but immigrants and asylum seekers would lose their preferred access to social housing.
Opportunities For Nigerians
Growth in specialised areas creates opportunity for skilled Nigerian professionals. However, the anticipated restricted immigration regulations may present difficulties for anyone wishing to relocate to the Netherlands for work, family reunification, or education. While enterprises in the Netherlands may still resort to foreign immigrants to fill openings in an ageing population, stricter laws will necessitate rigorous adherence by foreigners.
