Job numbers slightly increased in third quarter

In the third quarter of 2005 the number of jobs was slightly higher than in the second quarter. The seasonally adjusted figures show an increase of 7 thousand jobs of employees. This means a continuation of the modest recovery of employment.

The seasonally adjusted employment rose for the second quarter in a row. Since the first quarter of 2004 job losses reduced gradually. The previous quarter was the first quarter with a slight job increase.

The modest increase in employment in the third quarter is due to business services and health care. The other branches of industry show negative growth or stabilisation.

Compared to the year before the number of jobs was down by 11 thousand in the Netherlands, but also in the year-on-year comparison the job market is improving. At the start of 2004 the number of jobs was down by 1.8 percent on the year before. In subsequent quarters job losses gradually went down to 0.1 percent in the third quarter of 2005.

The wage costs per fte were 2.2 percent higher in the third quarter of 2005 than in the same quarter of 2004. This is more than the increase for collective (CAO) wages, which amounted to 1.0 percent. The difference is partly due to higher pension premiums paid by employers. It was the lowest rise in wage costs since 1997.

Growth rate jobs and economic growth