Amsterdam, june 9 2026 – In the third quarter of 2026, 23 percent of Dutch employers expect to hire more staff. A solid drop of 14 percentage points compared to the second quarter of 2026, when employment expectations were still at 37 percent. Compared to the third quarter in 2025, the expectation has also decreased by seven percentage points. Despite the decline, the Netherlands retains a solid position in the global top: the Dutch expectation is only three percentage points below the world average. This is evident from the ManpowerGroup Employment Outlook Survey (MEOS), a survey by ManpowerGroup in 42 countries among more than 40,000 employers, 570 of which are in the Netherlands.
Utilities & Natural Resources in the lead, Trade & Logistics under pressure
Although all sectors still expect growth in the workforce, the differences between sectors are large. These are the main conclusions:
- Energy & Utilities: The most competitive sector this quarter, with an employment expectation of 45 percent. This is unchanged from the same quarter last year. The sector also shows the largest growth in staff, with an increase of 40 percent compared to the previous quarter. Worldwide, the Netherlands occupies the second position for this sector, 21 percentage points above the global sector average. This makes this the strongest outlook in more than two years, going back to the first quarter of 2024 when expectations were set at 62 percent.
- Trade & logistics: The picture in trade & logistics is less rosy. The sector is recording the lowest employment expectation in three years this quarter, going back to the last quarter of 2022.
AI drives productivity, but the human factor remains decisive
In addition to hiring expectations, the MEOS maps broader labor market trends. The following trends emerge:
- More than half of employers (53%) cite AI tools for daily tasks as the main driver of productivity, along with upskilling.
- AI is also at the top of the list of technical skills, as AI literacy (62%) is the most likely employer to pay a higher salary.
- At the same time, man is not losing ground. In the hiring process, a person reviewing resumes remains the most valuable (49%), above any AI tool.
- And when it comes to soft skills, communication is at the top of the list: 74 percent of employers are willing to pay a higher salary for it.
André Secrest, Managing Director at ManpowerGroup Netherlands: “Employment expectations are falling in the coming quarter, but the Netherlands remains firmly in the global top. The economic fundamentals are solid: the government is investing heavily in defence and infrastructure and purchasing power is maintained. The nature of work is also changing: AI is becoming the main driver of productivity, while employers continue to rely on humans for recruitment and practical skills. At the same time, external risks are piling up. The tensions in the Middle East and the threat of trade tariffs are no longer abstract dangers, they are reflected concretely in the lower GDP forecasts and in the way employers now view the future. The willingness to hire is still there, but employers are doing it with more caution than a quarter ago, and with a keen eye for the right people and skills.”
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About the ManpowerGroup Employment Outlook Survey
The ManpowerGroup Employment Outlook Survey (MEOS) is a comprehensive survey that measures the hiring intentions of employers worldwide. It provides a preview of labor market trends by asking employers whether they plan to increase or decrease their workforce in the upcoming quarter.
The survey has been conducted since 1962 and is considered a reliable indicator of labour market trends. The results help companies and employees to gain insight into the expected developments in the labour market.
The survey data was collected in the period from 1 January to 3 February 2026.
Source ManpowerGroup
Karlijn Meijer
+31 (0)6 34 63 57 63
karlijn.meijer@manpowergroup.nl
Over ManpowerGroup
ManpowerGroup® is the global leader in finding, developing and retaining talent. From the brands Manpower, Experis and Talent Solutions, the HR service company offers complete HR solutions in more than 70 countries. Every year, ManpowerGroup connects millions of people with meaningful work. Whether temporary or permanent positions, in a wide range of sectors and fields, ManpowerGroup helps organizations and candidates to continue to succeed in a rapidly changing labor market.
For more information, visit www.manpowergroup.nl or follow us on LinkedIn.
