The number of employees in the healthcare and welfare sector in the Netherlands continued to rise in 2022 for the sixth consecutive year. According to new data from the Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS), a total of 175 thousand new workers joined the industry, marking the highest number since the end of 2010.
This growth can be attributed to the continuous influx of employees, particularly from healthcare and welfare education programs. The sector has experienced a steady increase in the number of workers entering the field, contributing to the overall expansion of the workforce in healthcare and welfare.
Since 2016, the outflow of employees from the healthcare and welfare sector has been lower than the inflow. However, there remains a significant number of open vacancies in relation to the available workforce, indicating a persistent labor shortage in the industry. Despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and 2021, the demand for healthcare and welfare workers remains high.
The majority of new employees in the healthcare and welfare sector enter directly from educational programs. In 2022, approximately 88 thousand individuals joined the industry directly after completing their education. This number has been steadily increasing since 2014, indicating a positive trend of attracting fresh talent to the field.
Furthermore, there were 43 thousand workers who returned to the sector after a minimum of one year of absence, as well as 44 thousand individuals who started their careers in healthcare and welfare after the age of 25, demonstrating the industry’s appeal to experienced professionals and career changers.
The growth in the number of healthcare and welfare workers is a positive development for the sector, indicating an increased capacity to provide essential services and meet the growing demands of the population. However, the presence of open vacancies highlights the need for continued efforts to attract and retain talent in the healthcare and welfare field in the Netherlands.