Dutch workers will get an average pay rise of 2.3% next year, below the European average of 3.1%, according to research by organisational advice company Hay Group.

Hay carries out an annual survey of global salaries based on a database of more than 16 million workers in 110 countries.

In nearby Belgium and France salaries are set to rise by an average of 2% while in Germany they will go up by 2.8%, the Hay Group says.

At the same time, employers are pessimistic when it comes to taking on new staff next year, according to other research by staffing agency Manpower.

Its research shows more companies are likely to reduce their workforces next year than employ new staff. Unemployment in the Netherlands is currently around 8%.