Netherlands: employees are highly satisfied

This number will surely make people jealous across Europe: no less than 78% of Dutch people say they are happy with their current job, and 65% of them say they “keep an eye out” for job offers in case of a shift in position.  Despite this sign of good social health, it’s not all roses in the polder country, where the crisis had a severe impact: 58% of employees find it harder to change jobs, a proportion which was 27% in 2008 and went to 41% in 2009.  Regardless, 12.7% of the people surveyed in 2009 were planning on changing employers in 2010, while 14% said they were ready to emigrate if they found job opportunities elsewhere.  Their favorite countries remain Belgium, Denmark and Sweden because housing is cheaper and for childcare services, which don’t exist in the Netherlands.  The only snag is, youth unemployment.  53% of students at the end of their curriculum say they’re ready to work but haven’t found a job.