Winnaars en verliezers op de arbeidsmarkt 1996-2012

Abstract

Occupational winners and losers in the Dutch labour market 1996-2012 Occupational winners and losers in the Dutch labour market 1996-2012 The occupational structure of the Dutch labour market is changing rapidly. In the years 1996-2012 the educational level of the labour force has increased constantly, which is indicative of knowledge intensification in the economy. Occupations that employ average educated workers have been shrinking, while occupations that employ high educated individuals have been growing. This is consistent with the polarization hypothesis, but these changes are very gradual. Wage growth, computer use and level of problem solving skills all correlate positively with the growth rate of employment in occupations. This suggests that IT skills and the ability to handle complex information are increasingly important in today’s labour market.