{"id":11230,"date":"2026-02-19T14:39:21","date_gmt":"2026-02-19T13:39:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/server.purple-media.nl\/~manpowergroupv2\/employment-outlook-in-the-netherlands-surprisingly-positive\/"},"modified":"2026-02-19T14:39:23","modified_gmt":"2026-02-19T13:39:23","slug":"employment-outlook-in-the-netherlands-surprisingly-positive","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/server.purple-media.nl\/~manpowergroupv2\/en\/research-publications\/employment-outlook-in-the-netherlands-surprisingly-positive\/","title":{"rendered":"Employment outlook in the Netherlands surprisingly positive"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

11 June 2025, Amsterdam<\/strong> – In the third quarter of this year, 30% of employers in the Netherlands expect to expand their current workforce. This is according to the ManpowerGroup Employment Outlook Survey (MEOS), a survey conducted by ManpowerGroup<\/a> in 41 countries and regions among more than 39,449 employers, including 524 in the Netherlands. This represents an increase of three percentage points compared to the second quarter of this year and two percentage points compared to the same quarter in 2024. This is surprising, as more than half of employers (53%) indicate that uncertainty about global trade is influencing hiring decisions. <\/p>\n\n

Strong growth in the transport sector<\/strong><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n

An increase in employment is expected in all sectors for the third quarter. The key figures: <\/p>\n\n

Communications services:<\/strong> the communications services sector, which includes telecoms and advertising companies, is expected to see the strongest growth compared to Q2 2025, at 36 per cent. This is an increase of 14 percentage points compared to the second quarter of this year and even 52 percentage points when compared to the third quarter of 2024. <\/p>\n\n

Transport, logistics and automotive sector:<\/strong> the most positive employment forecast, at 49 per cent, is found in the transport, logistics and automotive sector. Compared to Q2 2025, this is a decrease of 4 percentage points. However, compared to Q3 2024, there is an increase of 9 percentage points. <\/p>\n\n

Consumer goods and services:<\/strong> Employment prospects are also high in the consumer goods and services sector. With a net employment outlook of 45 per cent, there is an increase of 8 percentage points quarter-on-quarter and 7 percentage points year-on-year. <\/p>\n\n

Organisations adapt HR strategy to ageing workforce<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n

Due to the ageing population, organisations need new recruits more than ever. In a tight labour market, this poses a challenge that requires a different approach. 57 per cent of Dutch organisations therefore anticipate that this development will have an impact on their HR strategy. This is most strongly felt in the communications services (66 per cent), financial services and real estate (62 per cent), energy and utilities (61 per cent) and healthcare (61 per cent) sectors. <\/p>\n\n

Andre Secrest, Managing Director at ManpowerGroup Netherlands: “The labour shortage is structural and will remain a constant. That is why organisations must not only focus on attracting new talent, but above all on retaining their people. This requires policies that cater to different generations and stages of life, from Gen Z to older generations in the workplace. This prevents premature attrition and strengthens the sustainable employability of the team. <\/p>\n\n

That is why it is essential to take a strategic look at your workforce structure and invest in automation, further training and internal mobility. Technology and AI are changing the nature of work in virtually all occupational groups. By thinking in terms of skills and talents, and making them more widely applicable, you can build an agile and future-proof workforce. And that is crucial, especially now that the employment outlook in the United Kingdom is surprisingly positive. <\/p>\n\n

With these insights, ManpowerGroup provides a detailed picture of the labour market and expectations for the coming quarter. Find out more in the new MEOS report for the third quarter of 2025. <\/em><\/p>\n\n

The results of the next ManpowerGroup Employment Outlook Survey are expected on 10 September 2025 (Q4).<\/em><\/p>\n\n

Links:<\/strong> <\/p>\n\r\n