Two-thirds of Dutch companies are struggling with staff shortages and are improving working conditions and automation to address the issue, according to new figures from national statistics agency CBS.

Staff shortages are less common in small businesses, where just over 61% of companies report a lack of personnel, compared with more than 67% of medium-sized businesses and over seven in 10 large companies.

Large companies are also more likely to take active measures in response to shortages, the CBS said. Just under 30% of large firms are investing in further automation, compared with 25% of medium-sized firms and just over 19% of small businesses.

Small businesses are more likely to limit production to match their available capacity, with almost one in five doing so, compared with 15% of medium-sized firms and 12% of large firms.

Across the business sector as a whole (excluding financial and utility companies), 29% of entrepreneurs said they were improving pay or other employment conditions to attract staff, while just under 25% said they were increasing automation.

Around 16% said they were limiting production, and nearly 10% were looking abroad to recruit more staff.

Construction companies are feeling the shortage most acutely, with more than 80% of entrepreneurs in the sector reporting a lack of personnel. In the culture, sport and recreation sector, the figure was 55%, the lowest across all industries.