supply and demand
The 737-200 is almost a dead aircraft in europe as far as jobs go but the 737-800 and all the NG737 aircraft are being introduced in ever increasing numbers.
A type rating on a -200 is only good for the -100 and -200 a type rating for the -800 covers all 737 aircraft from -300 to -900.
In my opinion the -800 is no harder to fly than the-200 but the demand for training on the -200 sim must be dropping fast ,but in europe the NG737 sims are working 25 hours a day.
I doubt if you would find a 737-200 job in europe and if you did it would not last long however hold a NG737 (or A320 ) type rating and you should be employable for the next twenty years.