Trend Structural labour-market tightness from ageing and de-greening

Summary

The report finds that ageing and a shrinking young population are producing structural labour shortages that could affect broad prosperity in the Netherlands. These shortages hold back Dutch economic growth in both the short and medium term. A higher state pension age could ease the pressure somewhat if older workers stay available longer, and technological innovation can raise productivity and reduce the number of workers needed. The deepest and most persistent gaps are in the (semi-)public and technical sectors, spanning care and welfare, education, engineering and construction, ICT, sustainable technology, hospitality and business services. Immigration of knowledge workers and skilled staff can also help, but the report holds that long-term reliance on migrants will not by itself resolve structural shortages.