Netherlands Plans to Cut 25,000 Government Jobs by 2035 Using AI and Efficiency Measures

The Dutch government has announced plans to phase out 25,000 jobs by 2035 as part of an efficiency drive aiming to save €3.5 billion ($3.9 billion), representing about 16% of its total workforce.

According to reported plans from Dutch State Secretary for Kingdom Relations and Effective Government Eric van der Burg, the initiative targets savings of €900 million ($1 billion) by 2027. Artificial intelligence is expected to boost productivity to help handle the remaining workload.

Key Efficiency and Cost-Saving Measures

• AI and Rule Simplification: The government aims for a 20% productivity increase through AI tools and plans to scrap or simplify at least 500 rules annually.
• Operational Changes: Additional savings will come from standardizing IT systems, selling surplus buildings, and implementing shared desk policies where pairs of employees use a single desk.
• Exclusions: Police and defense roles, alongside permanent advisory councils and committees, are reported to be unaffected, though the government will release new targets for advisory bodies later this year.

Background and Context

Reports indicate that central government staffing reached a peak of 160,000 by the end of 2025, marking a 41% increase since 2018. According to Bloomberg, voluntary motions to increase productivity using AI have previously been passed, serving as a catalyst for these spending and workforce reductions.

Practical Implications and Verification

Stakeholders and citizens can monitor official announcements from the Dutch central government portal to track policy updates, target timelines, and parliamentary developments regarding the implementation of these efficiency measures.