For the first time since 2021, the number of unemployed people in the Netherlands exceeds the number of job openings. In the third quarter of 2025, there were 399,000 unemployed individuals and 387,000 vacancies: approximately 97 open positions for every 100 job seekers. This shift reflects declining job openings combined with a modest increase in the number of people looking for work, according to Statistics Netherlands (CBS).
Why the Balance Changed
Job vacancies have been declining nearly every quarter for three years as employers adopt automation, improve digital systems, and reorganise to address staffing challenges. Meanwhile, more people are entering the job market, including individuals with long-term health conditions or disabilities and retirees returning to work. This increases the unemployment count even though large-scale layoffs haven't occurred. CBS's chief economist emphasised that the labor market is becoming less tight (meaning less competition for workers) but it isn't loose or struggling.
Where Worker Shortages Continue
Despite the overall cooling, certain sectors still face significant staffing needs. Retail, healthcare, and business services together account for more than half of all open positions. Construction has the highest vacancy rate at 79 openings per 1,000 jobs, demonstrating continued demand for skilled tradespeople even as the market slows.
Photo Credits: Arlington Research/Unsplash
Who Is Unemployed and for How Long
Approximately 84% of unemployed people have been without work for less than one year, suggesting they are recent job market entrants rather than long-term unemployed individuals. Total employment remains strong at 9.8 million people, with a record 5.6 million workers holding permanent contracts.
Part-Time Workers Want More Hours
An estimated 541,000 part-time employees say they would like to work more hours than their current schedules allow. If employers can offer longer shifts or larger contracts, this "hidden labor capacity" could help ease shortages, though it won't completely solve staffing gaps in sectors like healthcare and construction.
What This Means
For job seekers: Expect more competition for each vacancy, particularly in entry-level and general roles. Customised applications and skill development, especially in digital tools, AI-related technologies, and industry certifications, are increasingly important.
For employers: Hiring may become somewhat easier, but shortages persist in healthcare, construction, technology, and specialised business services. Investing in employee retention and training remains valuable.
For the economy: This headline shift reduces "overheated" labor market conditions, but the market remains tight by historical standards. As a result, wage growth and price pressures may cool only gradually.
