Unemployment rate climbs to 7 percent

• Unemployment growth 100 thousand relative to one year ago
• Increase WW benefits by over 12 thousand
• Sharp increase WW benefits in sectors agriculture, hotels and  restaurants and construction

According to the most recent figures released by Statistics Netherlands, unemployment adjusted for seasonal variation increased by 16 thousand in November 2012 to reach 552 thousand, i.e. 7 percent of the labour force  .
Figures published by the Institute for Implementation of Employees’ Insurances show that the number of unemployment (WW) benefits rose to 322 thousand in November, an increase by more than 12 thousand relative to October.

Unemployment considerably higher

Unemployment increased by nearly 100 thousand within twelve months. In November this year, 7 percent of the labour force were unemployed versus 5.8 percent on November 2011. The youth unemployment rate rose to an alarming 13.7 percent and more than 6 percent of over-25s were unemployed.
The number of unemployed increased by an average 13 thousand a month during the past three months. More than half were people older than 45. In October and November, unemployment among over-45s rose more rapidly than in the preceding months.

Unemployment rate among young people substantially up

The number of current WW benefits grew by 4 percent to 322 thousand in November. With a 13 percent increase, the number of unemployment benefits paid to young people under the age of 25 grew above average.

In sectors where unemployment is traditionally much higher in winter, e.g. agriculture, hotels and restaurants and construction, the number of WW benefits grew relatively fast. The number of WW benefits declined in the sectors education and public administration.

In November, 51 thousand new benefits were granted and nearly 39 thousand benefits were terminated.