Most people who lost their jobs during the first coronavirus lockdown had found a new one within six months, even if they worked in hard hit sectors such as hospitality and events, the Dutch state jobs agency UWV said on Thursday.

In total, 61% of people who were made redundant between March and October last year found a job within six months – and that figure was 63% for bar and restaurant staff, the UWV said in its latest jobs market review.

In addition, most people were able to find a new job in the same sector, apart from people who worked in travel. Some 90% of travel industry workers have now moved to a new sector, as have 87% of people who lost their jobs with an airline.

Although the official unemployment rate is currently low, the UWV expects the real recovery to take place next year, when it estimates the number of jobs in the Netherlands will grow 1.3% to 10.8 million.