More Than Half of Temporary Jobs in the Netherlands Held by Non-Dutch Workers

More than half of all temporary jobs in the Netherlands are currently filled by non-Dutch workers, according to new figures from Statistics Netherlands (CBS). The data highlights the growing reliance on international labour, particularly from Eastern Europe, within the country’s temporary employment sector.

Growing dependence on international workers

CBS figures from 2024 show a clear upward trend in the employment of internationals in temporary jobs. While non-Dutch workers accounted for 27.2 percent of temporary employment in 2010, that figure rose to 44.4 percent across the sector in 2024.

The trend is even more pronounced at temporary employment agencies. Of the approximately 2,300 agencies operating in the Netherlands, a combined total of around 407,000 temporary jobs were offered in 2024. Internationals filled 52.4 percent of these positions.

According to CBS, this development is closely linked to the tight Dutch labour market. With many employers struggling to find staff, companies increasingly turn to workers from abroad to fill vacancies that attract little interest from Dutch jobseekers.

Sectors such as agriculture, logistics and distribution centres, and industrial production are particularly dependent on temporary migrant labour. Many available roles do not align with the education level or preferences of domestic workers, leaving employers little choice but to recruit internationally.

Eastern Europe remains the main source region

The majority of temporary employment agencies in the Netherlands—around 86 percent—hire workers who were born outside the country. Most of these workers originate from Europe, accounting for 88 percent of all migrant labour in the sector.

Poland, Romania, Ukraine and Bulgaria are the most common countries of origin. Lower average wages in these countries make employment in the Netherlands financially attractive, even for short-term or seasonal work.

CBS data also shows that many temporary workers are relatively new arrivals. More than two-thirds of non-Dutch temporary workers have been living in the Netherlands for less than two years, indicating a high level of mobility and turnover within the sector.

Structural role in the labour market

The figures underline the structural importance of international workers to the Dutch temporary employment market. As long as labour shortages persist and demand remains high in lower-paid or physically demanding sectors, reliance on migrant labour is expected to continue.

CBS notes that without international workers, many industries would struggle to maintain current levels of production and service delivery, highlighting the ongoing challenges facing the Dutch labour market.