The chemical labour market accounted for approximately 99,000 FTEs in 2025. After years of growth, employment declined slightly. Enrolment in several chemistry-related study programmes also fell. At the same time, demand for chemistry-trained vocational graduates remains high, while employment in the pharmaceutical segment of the chemical industry continues to grow. These are among the findings of the 2026 update of ChemistryNL’s education and labour market monitor.
Combined employment in the chemical sectors (SBI 19–22) fell by 1.3% in 2025. Over the past ten years, however, employment in the chemical labour market has grown by 20%. The number of vacancies registered in the Netherlands fell by 35 to 40% in 2025, for both chemistry-related and non-chemistry-related positions. Demand for chemistry-trained vocational professionals, such as process operators, nevertheless remains high, with around three times as many vacancies as ten years ago.
Trends vary across the different subsectors of the chemical industry. Employment in the pharmaceutical industry grew by 65% between 2015 and 2025, reaching approximately 19,000 FTEs. The manufacture of chemical products and the rubber and plastics industry account for around 44,000 and 30,000 FTEs respectively. Both sectors have recently contracted, but still provide 5 to 10% more employment than ten years ago.
Developments in chemistry education
Enrolment in chemistry-related vocational, university of applied sciences and university bachelor’s programmes fell by 6 to 9% in 2025. Compared with ten years ago, enrolment in chemistry-related vocational education is 45% lower, while enrolment at universities of applied sciences is down by 27%. Enrolment in university bachelor’s programmes is roughly at the same level as ten years ago.
Enrolment in university master’s programmes remained stable in 2025 and is 49% higher than ten years ago. International students play an important role in this growth. In 2025, they accounted for around 20% of enrolment in chemistry-related higher education, representing approximately 1,500 students. It is estimated that 30 to 40% of international chemistry graduates are still working for a Dutch company five years after graduation.
