The Dutch SMB is digitalising at the European forefront: 89 per cent of companies with 10 to 250 employees were at the basic level of digital intensity in 2025, against 71 per cent on average across the EU (Statistics Netherlands (CBS), 2026). At the same time, automation is the most important measure against staff shortages for 29.7 per cent of companies (CBS, 2026). On this page we bring together the most relevant figures, each with a source and a year.
How much does the Dutch SMB automate?
The Netherlands ranks among the European leaders: 89 per cent of Dutch companies with 10 to 250 employees had reached the basic level of digital intensity in 2025, compared with an EU average of 71 per cent — only Finland and Denmark are in the same top three (CBS, 2026). In 2023 that figure was still 83 per cent.
Working digitally is therefore the norm; the next step — genuinely automating processes rather than doing digital manual work — is where the differences now emerge. A company that retypes orders in the cloud instead of on paper is digitalised but not automated. That second step is measurably in motion, as the figures below show.
Staff shortages as a driver
Almost two thirds of Dutch companies are affected by a staff shortage, and for 29.7 per cent of all companies, investing more in automation — robotisation or AI support — is the most important measure against it (CBS, 2026). By comparison: 24.9 per cent opt mainly for more attractive terms of employment and 14.7 per cent cut production.
The differences by size are striking: of large companies 40.4 per cent invest in automation, of medium-sized companies 28.1 per cent and of small companies 20.1 per cent (CBS Business Survey, April 2026). The information and communication sector leads the way with 44.1 per cent, against 28.5 per cent a year earlier. For the SMB this is a sober conclusion: the gap with large companies is not a matter of technology — the same tools are available — but of time and approach.
The key figures at a glance
All figures with source and year, to use or cite yourself.
| Figure | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| NL companies (10–250 employees) at basic level of digital intensity (2025) | 89% (EU: 71%) | CBS, 2026 |
| Companies affected by staff shortages | almost two thirds | CBS, 2026 |
| Companies with automation as the main measure against shortages | 29.7% | CBS, 2026 |
| Large companies investing in automation (April 2026) | 40.4% | CBS, 2026 |
| Small companies investing in automation (April 2026) | 20.1% | CBS, 2026 |
| ICT sector investing in automation (April 2026) | 44.1% (was 28.5%) | CBS, 2026 |
| Time saved through automation in recruitment (maximum) | up to 17 hours per recruiter per week | Bullhorn GRID, 2025 |
What do these figures mean for your business?
Three sober lessons. One: in the Netherlands, digitalisation no longer sets you apart — 89 per cent are at the basic level — so the gains lie in the layer above: processes that run without manual work. Two: the leaders are not automating because it is fashionable, but because staff are scarce; every structured task you automate is capacity you do not have to recruit. Three: the gap between small (20.1 per cent) and large (40.4 per cent) is not in the technology — the same integration platforms and APIs are available to everyone — but in approach and priority.
Where you start depends on where the manual work sits in your business. The approach per process is set out on business process automation; what it delivers in euros you can work out with the free ROI calculator. For choosing tools: Zapier vs Make vs Power Automate.
In short
- 89% of Dutch companies (10–250 employees) are at the basic level of digital intensity — EU top 3 (CBS, 2026).
- Almost two thirds of companies are affected by staff shortages; for 29.7% automation is the main measure (CBS, 2026).
- Large companies invest in automation twice as often as small ones: 40.4% against 20.1% (CBS, April 2026).
- The ICT sector leads the way: 44.1% invest in automation, against 28.5% a year earlier (CBS, 2026).
- The gap of small behind large is not in technology but in approach — the same platforms and APIs are available to everyone.
Further reading
- Business process automation: approach and costs
- Business process automation: the best tools for SMBs
- AI automation for the SMB
- Recruitment statistics: the Dutch figures
- ROI calculator: work out your own saving
Frequently asked questions
How digitalised is the Dutch SMB?
89 per cent of Dutch companies with 10 to 250 employees had reached the basic level of digital intensity in 2025, compared with an EU average of 71 per cent (CBS, 2026). This puts the Netherlands in the European top three, alongside Finland and Denmark.
Why are companies automating right now?
Staff shortages are the main driver: almost two thirds of companies are affected, and for 29.7 per cent of all companies, more automation is the most important measure — ahead of higher wages (24.9 per cent) and cutting production (14.7 per cent) (CBS, 2026).
Are small companies lagging behind larger ones?
In investment they are: 40.4 per cent of large companies invest in automation against 20.1 per cent of small ones (CBS, April 2026). The technology itself is not the barrier — integration platforms and APIs are available at any size — the difference lies in time, knowledge and priority.
What does automation actually deliver?
That varies per process; the fairest route is to work through your own situation on hours times frequency times labour cost. Our free ROI calculator does that sum in a minute. As a reference from one sector: in recruitment Bullhorn (GRID, 2025) puts the time saving at up to 17 hours per recruiter per week.
How up to date are these figures?
Every figure has a source citation with a year; most come from CBS publications from 2026 (on 2025 and the Business Survey of April 2026). We update the page whenever new figures are released.
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