Dutch Government to Cut 25,000 Public Jobs by 2035 Using AI and Reforms
The Dutch government plans to cut 25,000 public sector jobs by 2035, saving 3.5 billion euros by integrating artificial intelligence and streamlining bureaucracy.
The Dutch government plans to phase out 25,000 public sector jobs by 2035, aiming to save 3.5 billion euros ($3.9 billion) and boost efficiency through artificial intelligence (AI).
The cuts are expected to affect about 16% of the government's total workforce, yielding savings of 900 million euros (around $1 billion) as early as 2027. According to the plan presented by State Secretary for Kingdom Relations and Digitalization, Eric van der Burg, implementing AI will increase productivity and handle the workload despite downsizing.
"We cannot continue doing what we have been doing," van der Burg said. "Therefore, we are going to make sharp decisions to create a central government that truly works: simpler, smarter, and smaller."
Alongside AI integration, the cabinet intends to reduce workload by cutting bureaucracy and eliminating or simplifying at least 500 regulations annually. Additional measures include job-sharing, selling redundant real estate, and standardizing IT systems. Police and defense personnel are exempt from the cuts.
