UWV reports cooling labor market for customer contact roles

The labor market for customer contact professions in the Netherlands is cooling down due to technological developments, digitalization, and new organizational methods. According to the UWV, since the second quarter of 2024, the demand for these roles has decreased while the number of individuals registered for unemployment benefits (WW) in these sectors has increased.

In Friesland, open vacancies for customer contact roles dropped from approximately 150 in the first quarter of 2023 to about 100 in the second quarter of 2026, a decrease of over 40%. During the same period, the number of WW-eligible individuals in these roles rose from over 100 to more than 130.

In Groningen, vacancies fell from roughly 200 in early 2023 to about 100 by mid-2026, a nearly 33% decline. Meanwhile, the number of registered job seekers in this sector rose from approximately 90 to 110. While the broader labor market remains tight, the specific sector for customer contact has become more balanced, making it easier for employers to find staff but increasing competition for job seekers.