Highest job growth in Flevoland and Friesland

The number of jobs in the Netherlands rose by 0.9 percent in 2002. The growth was highest in Flevoland with 3.7 percent, followed by Friesland with 2,1 percent, and lowest in North Holland and Limburg. There was a noticeable increase in the number of jobs in services in the Rotterdam region.

Job growth slowing

The growth in the number of jobs in the Netherlands has slowed down substantially in the last few years under the influence of the slump in the economy. In 2002 job growth was 60 thousand, in 2001 it was still as high as 114 thousand and in 2000 even 195 thousand jobs.

Slower growth in all provinces

The slower job growth was reported in all provinces. For the highest grower Flevoland it was 3.7 percent in 2002, down from 5.0 percent in 2001. Friesland did relatively well with a growth rate of 2.1 percent. In North Brabant, Utrecht, North Holland and Limburg job growth was below the national average.

Job growth per province, 2002

More jobs in the commercial sector in Rotterdam region

In the four largest urban agglomerations of the Netherlands job growth in the Rotterdam region (Groot Rijnmond) was noticeable in a positive sense. Nearly 8 thousand jobs were created there in 2002. In commercial services the number of jobs increased by nearly 2 thousand, mostly jobs in corporate services. And this while at a national level the number of jobs in commercial services fell.

The number of jobs in non-commercial services in the Rotterdam region rose by more than 7 thousand. These are jobs in health care and welfare, public administration and education. The number of jobs in manufacturing decreased.

Changes in job numbers by economic activity, 2002

Job losses in greater Amsterdam

The Amsterdam agglomeration shows a completely different picture, with a substantial 3 thousand drop in the number of jobs in 2002. In 2000 and 2001 the number of jobs here grew by 25 and 9 thousand respectively. The turning point was mainly caused by the loss of 8 thousand jobs in commercial services.

Low growth in Utrecht and The Hague agglomerations

The agglomerations of Utrecht and The Hague both showed a small net job growth in 2002. The decrease in the number of jobs in the commercial sector is completely compensated by the increase in jobs in the non-commercial sector in both regions.

Gerda Gringhuis

Source: StatLine