With 64% of Dutch businesses facing staff shortages, many are prioritising investment in automation – including robotics and artificial intelligence – to maintain operations, new data from Statistics Netherlands (CBS) has found.
The findings, taken from the Netherlands Business Survey, reveal a notable shift in business strategy over the past year. As of April 2026, almost half of all businesses facing staff shortages identified automation as their ‘most important’ response – around 30% of all firms surveyed.
‘A year ago, most firms said they were trying to attract more staff by providing a more attractive place to work,’ Statistics Netherlands noted. ‘Now, large firms in particular are more likely to be turning to automation. Among smaller firms, they are more likely to report scaling back their production due to the staff shortage.’
Larger firms turning to automation
The trend is particularly pronounced among larger businesses. More than 40% of large firms with 250 employees or more reported increasing investment in automation to tackle labour shortages. Smaller businesses were less likely to adopt automation and more likely to respond by limiting production or reducing the range of services they offer.
The information and communication sector has shown the strongest move towards automation. More than 44% of businesses in the sector cited automation as their preferred solution to staffing challenges, up significantly from the previous year. Other sectors recording substantial increases include business services, construction, manufacturing and retail.
Improved productivity
The survey also found that companies are increasingly focusing on improving productivity rather than simply hiring more staff. More than three-quarters of businesses reported taking measures to raise productivity levels. Among large companies, the figure rises to 85%, while among SMEs, it stands at 71%.
‘A shortage of staff (30%) and external factors such as economic uncertainty (27%) are the main obstacles preventing firms from improving their productivity,’ Statistics Netherlands noted. ‘Compared to a year ago, firms are more likely to identify economic uncertainty as an obstacle, while others mention high costs (14%) and a lack of innovative solutions (5%).
The Netherlands Business Survey is conducted in partnership with the Chamber of Commerce (KvK), the Economic Institute for the Construction Industry (EIB), MKB-Nederland and the Confederation of Netherlands Industry and Employers (VNO-NCW). Read more here.
