Corona pandemic

Between graduation in 2018/2019 and the completion of the survey, the Netherlands was severely affected by the corona pandemic. Due to government measures and a high degree of flexibility on the part of Dutch employees and employers, the consequences for the economy and employment have turned out to be less drastic than initially feared. Nevertheless, especially in sectors where the work must necessarily be carried out in close proximity to other people, the pandemic has sometimes had profound consequences for the way in which the work can be carried out.

Labor market position reasonably stable

Given the circumstances, HBO graduates have done reasonably well on the labor market in 2020. About 90% of full-time graduates found a job within three months after graduation, as in 2019. The monitor shows a small increase in unemployment. This increase seems to fit in part with a slightly upward trend, from a low point in 2017 at the end of the previous economic crisis. However, a relatively strong rise in unemployment can be seen in the art sector. This is almost certainly partly the result of the corona pandemic.

Stress increased in health care

About four in ten graduates indicated that they now experience a lot of stress at work. This share is highest among graduates from the arts (49%) and education (almost 47%) sectors. The graduates also indicate that they experience stress more often now than before the corona crisis. The strongest increase in work stress in the corona period is visible in the healthcare sector.