Dutch Firms Pivot to Automation as 64% Report Staff Shortages

Labor Crisis Drives Technology Adoption

Nearly two-thirds of Dutch businesses are now confronting staff shortages, prompting a fundamental shift in how companies address workforce gaps. According to Statistics Netherlands (CBS), 64 percent of firms currently report difficulties filling positions, with automation emerging as the dominant response strategy.

The data, drawn from the Netherlands Business Survey conducted with partner organizations, reveals a striking change in corporate priorities. Just one year ago, most companies focused on making themselves more attractive employers through workplace improvements. By April 2026, that approach has been largely supplanted by investments in technology.

Automation Becomes Primary Solution

For 30 percent of all Dutch firms—representing nearly half of those experiencing shortages—increasing automation through robots or AI support has become their most important countermeasure. This marks a significant departure from previous strategies centered on recruitment and retention.

The shift is most pronounced among larger enterprises, which are leading the automation charge. Smaller businesses, by contrast, more frequently report scaling back production entirely due to insufficient staffing. This divergence suggests a growing technology adoption gap based on company size and resources.

Sector-Specific Patterns Emerge

The information and communication sector shows the largest year-over-year increase in automation focus, making it the preferred solution for staffing challenges in that industry. Across nearly all economic sectors, the proportion of firms prioritizing automation has risen, with one notable exception: culture, sport, and recreation, where this trend has actually declined.

Meanwhile, efforts to enhance employer appeal have decreased in most sectors. The construction industry leads at 34 percent of companies still pursuing this approach, while information and communication firms are least likely to do so at just 18 percent.

Productivity Push Intensifies

Over three-quarters of Dutch enterprises report taking active steps to raise internal productivity amid persistent labor market tightness. The rate is higher among large enterprises (85 percent) compared to small and medium-sized businesses (71 percent).

The most common productivity measures include investing in technology and automation, along with introducing more efficient processes. SMEs show a greater tendency to focus on optimizing existing working environments and facilities rather than implementing new technologies.

Obstacles Remain

Staff shortages themselves remain the primary barrier to productivity improvements, cited by 30 percent of firms. Economic uncertainty has emerged as the second-largest obstacle at 27 percent, with more companies identifying this factor compared to a year ago. Additional challenges include high costs (14 percent) and a lack of innovative solutions (5 percent).

Why It Matters

This shift from recruitment to automation represents a structural change in how businesses respond to labor constraints. Companies that successfully implement automation may gain competitive advantages in productivity and resilience, while those unable to invest in technology risk falling behind or reducing operations. The trend also signals accelerating demand for AI and robotics solutions across traditional industries, not just tech-forward sectors.

These findings were first reported by Statistics Netherlands (CBS) through their Netherlands Business Survey.