Job losses differ from 1993

The number of jobs in the Netherlands fell in the second quarter of 2003. This was also the case in the period 1993–1994, but unlike then, this time the numbers of jobs in the hotel and restaurant and the ICT sectors are decreasing.

Jobs of employees, 2001–2003

Fewer jobs in hotels and restaurants, and in ICT

The Netherlands went through a period of strong economic growth from 1994 to 2000. At the end of 2000, however, economic growth slowed abruptly and from the beginning of 2001 almost came to a standstill. In the course of 2001 the number of jobs in manufacturing started to fall and from mid 2002 employment in construction and in the transport, storage and communication sector also shrank.

The number of jobs in trade, hotels and restaurants, and repairs, and in financial and business services also declined. This is where the difference lies compared with 1993-1994. One of the reasons for this is that the hotel and restaurant sector continued to expand strongly in 1993-1994. Also the number of jobs in the ICT sector has dropped sharply this time round, while in 1993-1994 it remained at about the same level.

Jobs of employees, 1992–1995

More jobs in care and education

The main difference with employment trends in 1993–1994 is that the job losses in the private sector are largely compensated by job creation in education and care. This was not the case ten years ago.

Loss of employment starts with agency jobs

The greatest job losses in the financial and business services area are for temp agencies. From the beginning of 2000 there have been 65 thousand fewer jobs at temp agencies. In 1993-1994, too, these agencies lost substantial numbers of jobs early on in the development. However, this was also the sector where employment first started to rise again when the economy picked up in 1994.

Hans Langenberg