Of all employees who switch jobs each year, 57 percent move into a different sector. That means most Dutch job changers don’t just change employers — they cross sector lines altogether. This insight comes from new research by De Nederlandsche Bank (DNB), which analysed labour market data from 2011 to 2025. The study also shows that the likelihood of switching sectors varies widely between industries.
Sector variability
In the waste and energy sector, as well as in culture and recreation, roughly eight in ten job changers leave for a completely different industry. These sectors, therefore, experience the highest cross‑sector outflow. In contrast, employees in healthcare and the financial sector tend to remain within their field when they take on a new job. According to DNB, this suggests that workers in these sectors possess highly sector‑specific skills, making it easier for them to find comparable roles with other employers. Workers leaving education or government roles often transition into healthcare and welfare positions.
Policy issue
Labour mobility, how often employees change jobs or sectors, has become an increasingly relevant topic. Within the Dutch polder model, employers and policymakers are discussing how to guide workers from one role to another through retraining and upskilling. Such efforts aim to keep employees employable for longer and help sectors facing persistent shortages, such as healthcare, sustainability, and defence. Higher mobility can also support productivity growth.
Downsides
However, DNB warns that excessive mobility can have drawbacks. High turnover may lead to a loss of knowledge and experience within companies. It can also reduce employers’ incentives to invest in training if they expect workers to leave quickly. Previous international comparisons show that labour mobility in the Netherlands is roughly in line with the average across OECD countries.
@anp | NEWSBRAINPORT
