The Monthly Work & Job Market Roundup: April 2025
Welcome to the April 2025 edition of New Stardom’s Monthly Work & Job Market Roundup, a curated snapshot of the most relevant employment stories and labor trends from around the world. This roundup is manually curated and carefully vetted for relevance and accuracy, drawing from trusted news and data analysis sources. Plus our own editorial trends analysis.
This month, we observed significant workforce changes, moderate wage growth, and continued developments in AI and labor policy across Europe and beyond.
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Work & Economic Trends
EU Hits Record-High Employment and Lowest Unemployment in Over Two Decades (Euronews)
At the end of 2024, the EU's employment rate reached a record 70.9%, with eight member states—including Germany, Spain, and Greece—also hitting all-time highs. Unemployment dropped to 5.7% in February 2025, the lowest since 2000. The Netherlands led the bloc with an 82.3% employment rate, while Spain had the highest jobless rate at 10.4%.
Collective Labor Agreement Wages Up 5.5% in Q1 2025 (CBS)
According to Statistics Netherlands (CBS), wages under collective labor agreements rose by 5.5% in the first quarter of 2025 compared to the same period last year. The wage increase reflects ongoing efforts to offset inflation and cost-of-living challenges.Dutch Economic Outlook Weakens Further in April (CBS)
CBS’s Business Cycle Clock showed that 12 out of 13 key indicators were underperforming, signaling a broader economic slowdown.United States Remains Largest Foreign Investor in the Netherlands (DNB)
New data from the Dutch central bank (DNB) shows that the United States is the largest international investor in the Netherlands, with over €1,000 billion in direct investments. The U.S. accounts for a quarter of all foreign investments, highlighting the strong economic ties between the two countries.
AI, Automation & Hiring Trends
Demand for Cybersecurity Analysts Soars with 64,000+ Job Postings in 2024 (TechRepublic)
A new report highlights that Cybersecurity Analyst was the most in-demand role in 2024, appearing in over 64,000 job postings. The surge reflects growing global concerns around digital threats and data breaches.Microsoft’s 2025 Work Trend Index Shows AI Is Reshaping the Workplace (Microsoft)
82% of leaders planning to use AI agents to expand workforce capacity. Business leaders see 2025 as a pivotal year to rethink strategy and operations.Bill Gates Predicts 2-Day Workweek, Powered by AI Efficiency (Quartz)
Bill Gates says society could choose to work as little as two days a week if artificial intelligence leads to major productivity gains. He emphasizes this shift would depend on how people decide to structure work and economic systems.
Policy, Research & Tech Investment
Pay Transparency Could Save EU Women €700 Annually, Report Finds (Euronews)
New research suggests that increased pay transparency in the EU could reduce the gender pay gap and boost women's earnings by an average of €700 per year. The findings align with upcoming EU legislation on wage reporting.Business Leaders Call for Revisions to UK Workers' Rights Bill Over Cost and Free Speech Concerns (BBC News)
Critics argue that provisions requiring employers to protect staff from third-party harassment could lead to excessive regulation, particularly in sectors like hospitality. The Confederation of British Industry warns that the bill may deter investment and hiring, estimating an additional £5 billion in annual costs for companies.Netherlands Plans Annual Screening of 8,000 Scientists to Curb Espionage Risks (NOS)
Both foreign and domestic candidates will be screened using intelligence data to prevent the transfer of critical information to foreign powers, with countries like China, Russia, and Iran specifically flagged. The proposed law has raised concerns over potential delays and its impact on attracting international talent, though officials argue similar measures are being adopted globally.
U.S. Scientists Eye Europe Amid Trump-Era Research Funding Cuts (Reuters)
European nations are actively recruiting displaced researchers, with initiatives like France's "safe space for science" and Germany's plan to attract up to 1,000 scientists. Despite challenges such as lower salaries and bureaucratic hurdles, the shift marks a significant moment in global scientific talent migration.Dutch Institutions Mobilize to Safeguard Research Data Amid U.S. Uncertainty (NOS)
Amid fears of research cutbacks under the Trump administration, top Dutch scientific bodies, including KNAW, NWO, UNL, and Surf, are working together to identify and secure vital research data currently stored in the U.S. With concerns growing over access to climate and gender research data, the initiative aims to prevent the potential loss of irreplaceable knowledge. The Netherlands is also calling for a coordinated European response to avoid fragmented efforts.
OpenAI Lands Another Multi-Billion Dollar Deal with SoftBank, Up to $40B (The Guardian)
OpenAI is finalizing a massive funding round with SoftBank that could reach $40 billion, setting a new record in the AI sector. The deal signals growing investor confidence in AI's commercial potential.OpenAI Expresses Interest in Buying Google Chrome Amid Antitrust Trial (BBC News)
The comment came during a monopoly trial where the U.S. government argues Google holds excessive power in online search. Google, however, has rejected the idea, saying Chrome is not for sale and is pushing to dismiss the case.
