The Netherlands will reduce 25 thousand civil servants and replace them with AI

The Dutch government is aiming to cut about 25,000 public sector jobs as part of an artificial intelligence efficiency reform. By 2027, the authorities expect to save €900 million annually, and from 2035 - up to €3.5 billion, Bloomberg reports.

The cuts will primarily affect ministries, inspections and executive bodies. The changes will not be the same for all departments: the police and the defense sector will be less affected by the reform.

“We’re going to make tough decisions to make the central government work really effectively: simpler, smarter and smaller,” said Erik van den Burg, Secretary of State for Good Governance.

According to authorities, by the end of 2025, the number of civil servants in the country reached a record 160,000 people. This is a 41 percent increase from 2018, despite promises by previous governments to cut staff. According to van den Burgh’s letter to parliament, 45-60% of staff could be cut in some departments of ministries, inspections and executive bodies.

The authorities intend to reduce the administrative burden, abandon excessive procedures and increase labor productivity. One area of reform would be to abolish 500 unnecessary or overly bureaucratic rules. According to the government, simplification of regulation will reduce the need for additional personnel. In addition, the authorities plan to more often use artificial intelligence in government structures.

In April, the Financial Times wrote that Microsoft and Meta (the company is recognized in Russia as extremist and banned) will reduce the staff amid costly investments of both companies in AI.

Earlier, in October 2025, the national legislation of Uzbekistan published a decree of the head of the republic Shavkat Mirziyoyev on the reduction of more than 2 thousand officials after the introduction of artificial intelligence.