Minister Jan Anthonie Bruijn of Health, Welfare and Sport: “In healthcare, we face a significant staff shortage, and this will not disappear anytime soon. The shortage is severe, affecting people who need care and healthcare personnel who strive to provide the necessary care. Solving this problem is one of the major priorities of my ministry. If we can realize the ambitions from the healthcare agreements, for example by reducing administrative burdens and increasing job satisfaction, this can significantly limit the staff shortage.”
Results of the 2025 Healthcare and Welfare Labor Market Forecast
The Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport (VWS) commissions an annual calculation of the expected staff shortage in various branches of the healthcare and welfare sector. Besides the expected increase in staff shortages (up to 301 thousand workers by 2035), this years calculation shows that the largest shortages are expected in elderly care. Looking at professional groups, the expected shortages are greatest among caregivers, nursing professions, and social support and services. Relative to the size of the professional groups, the expected shortage is also relatively large among elderly care specialists, intellectual disability physicians, healthcare psychologists, clinical neuropsychologists, clinical psychologists, addiction physicians and psychotherapists, general practitioners, and social physicians.
The expected staff shortage in 2035 is about 9 thousand higher compared to last years calculation. This is mainly because this year, besides employees, self-employed persons were also included in the calculations (which is also why we refer to a shortage of workers this year).