The Dutch government has announced plans to cut about 25,000 jobs from its central civil service over several years, with artificial intelligence expected to play a key role in doing more work with fewer people. The move is one of the clearest signs yet of governments turning to AI to shrink the public sector, and is being closely watched as a test case for AI jobs policy.
The announcement was made in a government statement on Monday, Bloomberg reported.
Savings of Up to €3.5 Billion a Year
The cuts are expected to save around €900 million a year by 2027, rising to €3.5 billion (about $3.9 billion) a year from 2035. The cabinet said it will present its detailed plans for using AI to boost productivity early next year.
The 25,000 roles represent more than 15% of the central government workforce. Government headcount reached a record 160,000 at the end of 2025, up 41% since 2018, despite earlier promises to reduce it.
“We Cannot Keep Doing What We Have Been Doing”
Eric van den Burg, the State Secretary for Effective Government, said the country needed to change course. “We cannot keep doing what we have been doing,” he said.
He said the government would make “tough choices for a central government that really works,” with the aim of building a state that is simpler, smarter and smaller.
AI and the Future of Public Sector Work
The Netherlands is not alone. Governments around the world are exploring how AI tools can handle tasks such as processing forms, answering citizen questions and drafting documents. Supporters say this can cut costs and speed up services, while critics warn it could lead to job losses, mistakes and less human oversight of important decisions.
The Dutch plan is likely to face scrutiny from unions and opposition parties as details emerge. With a budget deficit of just 1.8%, one of the smallest in the European Union, the government says the changes are about long-term efficiency rather than an immediate financial crisis.
Lessons for Nigeria and Africa
For Nigeria, where the federal civil service is one of the country’s largest employers, the Dutch move raises important questions. Nigerian governments have long talked about reducing the cost of governance, and AI-powered digital services could help cut waste. But with high unemployment, any shift towards AI in the public sector would need careful planning to protect workers and improve, not weaken, public services.
Sources: Bloomberg via ThePrint, DutchNews, NL Times. Image: Wikimedia Commons (file photo of the Binnenhof, The Hague).