Job vacancies continue to fall
- 113 thousand job vacancies
- Fewer vacancies in non-commercial services, especially in government
Figures released by Statistics Netherlands put the number of job vacancies in the Netherlands at 113 thousand at the end of March 2010, after correction for seasonal effects. This is 11 thousand down on the previous quarter, and continues the decrease in job vacancies. Following an earlier stabilisation in the third quarter of 2009, the period of decrease does not seem to be over yet. The number of vacancies remains low, and is now 18 thousand higher than the previous low point in 2003.
The number of job vacancies hit a record high at the end of September 2007, at 248 thousand. The number of vacancies subsequently remained high - over 240 thousand for another year. After the third quarter of 2008 the number dropped sharply; it decreased by 120 thousand in the period up to and including June 2009. In the third quarter of 2009 the number of job vacancies stabilised somewhat. Following a slight decrease in the fourth quarter of 2009, it is now falling further.
The decrease in the first quarter of 2010 occurred mainly in non-commercial services. After correction for seasonal effects the number of vacancies in this sector fell by 9 thousand compared with the previous quarter. The government sector – minus 5 thousand vacancies – accounted for most of this decrease. In agriculture, manufacturing and construction the number of vacancies stabilised. This was also the case in commercial services.
In the first quarter of 2010, 173 thousand new vacancies were created, while 177 thousand were filled or withdrawn. Although the number of vacancies is low, new vacancies are still coming onto the market, and many people are still finding a new job.