Unemployment remains high

The Netherlands had an average of 499 thousand unemployed in the period February – April of 2004. This is 113 thousand more than in the same period of 2003, according to the latest figures by Statistics Netherlands.
Over the last three months an average of 6.6 percent of the labour force was unemployed, versus 5.2 percent in the same period last year.

Upward trend in unemployment

Unemployment is always higher during this period due to seasonal influences. The seasonally corrected figure gives an unemployed labour force of 482 thousand, almost identical to the previous period. The trend should be measured over a longer period of time. Over the last six months unemployment increased by an average of 12 thousand.

Increase across the line

Dutch unemployment increased on the same period of 2003, among men and women in all lower categories. More men are unemployed than women. The number of unemployed men in February – April 2004 was 261 thousand, the number of unemployed women 238 thousand. Unemployment among women increased by 7.5 percent and among men by 6.0 percent.

Employment virtually stable

In the period February – April 2004 an average of 7 044 thousand people had paid work for twelve hours a week or more. The employed labour force decreased by 39 thousand on the previous year. After correction for seasonal influences the level of employment over the last five months has remained virtually stable.

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