Rise in computer screen work coming to standstill

In 2000, nearly three million people in the Netherlands had a job that involved regularly working at a computer screen, the equivalent of 43 percent of the active labour force. For the first time in four years the number of people working at a computer screen did not increase further in 2000. People in the age group 25-34 years most often have a job that involves the use of a PC.

Active labour force regularly using a computer screen

No further increase in screen work in 2000

The proportion of workers who regularly use a computer screen for their work grew steadily in the period 1996-1999, from 37 percent in 1996 to 44 percent in 1999. In 2000 the share was lower than the previous year for the first time. The decrease is too small to be called a downturn, but the surge does seem to have come to an end. The point of saturation have been reached in a number of sectors, and in most sectors a slight decrease has been observed.

Regular screen work by age, 2000

Fewer old people work at computer screens

While half of people aged 25-34 years do work involving the regular use of a computer screen, in the age group 55-64 years only one third of people regularly use a PC.

Generally speaking, the older the workers, the smaller the proportion that regularly use computers. The only exception is the group of 15-24 year-olds, who are least likely to sit at a PC regularly for their work. The reason for this is that relatively many people in this age group have lower educational levels, and thus fewer jobs with screen work. In addition many people in this age group are students with a part-time job, often in hotels and restaurants, or shops, sectors where there is little PC work.

Ingrid Beckers