'%20id='ico-down'%20stroke='%23000000'%20stroke-width='1.5'%3e%3cg%20transform='translate(1092.250000,%20254.750000)'%3e%3cpolyline%20id='Path-2-Copy-4'%20transform='translate(5.500000,%202.750000)%20scale(1,%20-1)%20rotate(-180.000000)%20translate(-5.500000,%20-2.750000)%20'%20points='0%200%205.5%205.5%2011%200'%3e%3c/polyline%3e%3c/g%3e%3c/g%3e%3c/g%3e%3c/svg%3e){kind=small}
24 November 2005
AMSTERDAM — The job market in the Netherlands appears to be improving, with the number of open vacancies almost doubling over a two year period.
Statistics Netherlands, referred to as the CBS in Dutch, published a report on Thursday showing the number of unfilled vacancies increased by 37,000 in the third quarter of 2005. Corrected for seasonal effects, there were 174,000 open vacancies at the end of September 2005.
According to latest figures, the number of vacancies almost doubled over a period of two years. The agency described the increase as robust.
The number of vacancies has been increasing since a low of 92,000 was recorded in 2003. Subsequently, vacancies began to increase and have nearly doubled over a period of two years. In the last four quarters, the number of vacancies rose by 48 thousand, the largest increase since 1999,” Statistics Netherlands said.
In the third quarter of 2005 vacancies rose in all sectors of economy. The largest increase was recorded in the commercial services sector. “There were 105,000 vacancies at the end of September, i.e. 25,000 more than in the previous quarter. The increase was mainly found in trade and business services,” the statistics agency said.
For the sixth quarter in a row, the labour market is more active than 12 months ago. Statistics Netherlands said this was indicated by a rise in new and filled vacancies.
“In the third quarter of this year, 228 thousand new vacancies were reported, 60 thousand more than one year ago and 229 thousand vacancies were filled, 34 thousand more than one year previously,” the agency said. The data on new and filled vacancies were not adjusted for seasonal effects.
The vacancy rate was also higher for the sixth consecutive quarter compared to twelve months ago. Vacancy rate is defined as the number of unfilled vacancies per thousand jobs. It is an indication for labour market tightness.
At the end of September 2005, there were 22 unfilled vacancies per thousand jobs. One year ago the vacancy rate was 16. In 2000 the labour market was tight with a vacancy rate of 32. During the trough period in 2003, the labour market was very loose with a vacancy rate of 12.
[Copyright Expatica News + ANP 2005]
Subject: Dutch news