More vacancies

The number of job vacancies in the Netherlands rose by 17 thousand in the second quarter of 2006. After correction for seasonal effects, 189 thousand jobs were vacant. This is double the number of three years ago. The number of vacancies rose in all sectors of the economy in the second quarter of 2006, according to figures from Statistics Netherlands. 

More vacancies in commercial services in particular

The number of vacancies increased in alls sectors in the second quarter of 2006. There was a substantial rise in vacancies in commercial services in particular: by 12 thousand to 112 thousand.

The total number of job vacancies peaked at the end of 2000, at 213 thousand. After a subsequent fall, the low point was reached in the third quarter of 2003 when only 92 thousand jobs were vacant.  Since then the number of vacancies has increased almost continually. In the second quarter of 2006 there were twice as many job vacancies as three years ago. 

Vacancy rate continues to rise

The number of vacancies per thousand jobs has also risen. This vacancy rate is an indicator for labour market shortage. At the end of June 2006, there were 31 vacancies per thousand jobs, 9 more than twelve months previously. The labour shortage was higher in nearly all sectors of industry, but especially in hotels and restaurants, business services and agriculture.

Substantial increase in new vacancies

The labour market was more dynamic in the second quarter of 2006 than twelve months previously. A record number of 283 thousand jobs fell vacant. this is 71 thousand more than in the same period last year. In addition, the number of filled vacancies rose by 47 thousand, to 259 thousand.