For every 100 unemployed people there were 92 open vacancies in the third quarter of 2026. A quarter earlier there were 95. Statistics Netherlands (CBS) reported this on 30 October. The shortage eases a little, but almost all of the change comes from the unemployment side.
More unemployed, as many vacancies
At the end of September 375,000 vacancies were open, a thousand more than at the end of June. Unemployment rose by 11,000 to 407,000 in the same quarter. The rate went from 3.9% to 4.0%. At the same time 14,000 jobs were added, to 11.7 million.
The ratio has hovered around the same level for a year. In the third quarter of 2025 it was 97, then 94, 91, 95 and now 92. Employers are still hiring. There are just slightly more people without work.
What the figure does not say
Whether rising unemployment makes the vacancy that has been open for months any easier, the national figure does not say. CBS gives the ratio for the whole labour market, not per occupation. At 92 vacancies per 100 unemployed there is still almost one vacancy for every unemployed person, and the number of vacancies is not falling.
The news does change. More unemployed means more reports of layoffs and reorganisations, and an employed candidate then weighs the move more heavily. So explain in the interview why the move is safe.
What you can do
- Check per role where your candidates come from. The national figure says little about your vacancy.
- Name in the interview what makes the new job secure: a permanent contract, the probation period, the position of the company.
- If you hire in occupations where more people become available, use the moment for roles you could not fill before.
Source: CBS, Krapte op de arbeidsmarkt neemt iets af (30 October 2026). The 2026 vacancy figures are provisional.
Pearson & Partners locates and qualifies candidates in the occupations where the shortage remains.