The Netherlands has long been known as a hub for innovation and entrepreneurship. However, recent studies show that Dutch companies, especially tech startups, are facing increasing difficulties finding the right talent.
According to Gartner’s 2022 Talent Market Insights Survey, 89% of Dutch companies report difficulty filling vacancies, especially for technical roles. Deloitte’s 2022 Skills Gap Survey found that 92% of Dutch tech companies consider talent shortages a threat to growth.
The problem is particularly acute for startups and scaleups. An Accenture report found that 85% of Dutch incubators and accelerators rank access to talent as the top challenge for portfolio companies. The lack of qualified candidates forces some startups to move jobs abroad or delay product launches.
The main issue is that the Netherlands is simply not producing enough graduates with the right skills. For example, computer science graduates totaled only 3,800 in 2020 compared to over 70,000 in Germany. The Dutch education system has been slow to adapt curricula to the needs of the digital economy.
Unless the government takes action, this talent gap will only worsen and put the Netherlands’ position as an innovation leader at risk. As a Dutch citizen voting today, I urge you to support political parties that will:
1.Invest more in STEM and digital skills training from primary school through university and vocational programs.
2. Attract more international tech talent through visa reforms and promotion campaigns.
3. Provide incentives for companies to invest in upskilling and reskilling current employees.
Dutch companies, especially innovative startups, need more and better qualified talent to thrive. The next government must make this a top priority through education reform, immigration policy changes, and reskilling support. With the right talent strategies in place, the Netherlands can remain a place where great ideas are turned into global businesses.