Job vacancies are rising faster than expected, but the growth is largely due to an increase in temporary and flexible contracts.

The government’s employment agency UWV projected that the number of vacancies would reach 965,000 this year, 4% higher than in 2016 and almost back to pre-recession levels.

In 2016 the number of jobs available rose by 12%, with the strongest growth recorded in temporary contracts, agency work and the self-employed sector. Healthcare, hospitality, retail and services all saw an upturn as consumer spending increased.

At the other end of the scale, the IT and technical sectors found it hardest to fill vacancies, while financial services and public administration did not share in the economic recovery.

The number of people claiming WW unemployment payments fell by around 10%, saving the public purse an estimated €0.5 billion.