Unemployment down

An average 342 thousand people were unemployed in the Netherlands in the period June-August 2007. This is the equivalent of 4.4 percent of the labour force. In the same period last year 5.3 percent of the labour force were unemployed. Seasonally adjusted unemployment fell by an average 5 thousand people per month in the last six months, according to figures from Statistics Netherlands.

Unemployment falls by 5 thousand a month

After correction for seasonal effects, unemployment stood at 345 thousand for the period June-August 2007, 10 thousand down on the previous three-month period. As the figures are based on a sample survey, developments over a  longer period give a more reliable picture. In the last six months unemployment has fallen by an average 5 thousand a month.

Larger decrease for unemployed men

In the period June-August 2007 the number of unemployed was 59 thousand lower than twelve months previously. The decrease was larger for men than for women. Male unemployment fell by 37 thousand in the space of one year, to 151 thousand. For women it fell by 22 thousand to 190 thousand.

More and more women are becoming active on the labour market. Although this has pushed up their share in the employed labour force, it has meant that the decrease in unemployment has been slower for women. For the male labour force the unemployment rate is 3.5 percent, for the female labour force this is 5.6 percent.