Unemployment down again in January 2006

In the period November 2005-January 2006, the unemployment figure in the Netherlands averaged 450 thousand. The seasonally adjusted figure stood at 460 thousand, a decrease by 8 thousand on the fourth quarter of 2005, according to the latest figures published by Statistics Netherlands.

In the past three months, 6.1 percent of the labour force were unemployed, as against 6.5 percent one year ago.

Downward trend persists

Adjusted for seasonal effects, the trend has been downward since the third quarter of 2005. Seasonally adjusted unemployment went down from 487 to 460 thousand in the period November 2005-January 2006. In this period unemployment was monthly reduced by 6 thousand. 

Fewer young people and 25 to 44-year-olds unemployed

In the period November 2005-January 2006, unemployment in the 15-44 age bracket was 40 thousand below the level of one year previously. About three quarters of the decrease can be attributed to a decrease in unemployment among men. Unemployment among young people dropped by 11 thousand and in the age category 25-44 by 29 thousand.

The most substantial decrease in unemployment was found among young people. In the period November 2005-January 2006, the unemployment rate among young people was 11.4 percent, which is 1.2 percentage points down on twelve months ago. The unemployment rate in the 25-44 age bracket dropped from 6.0 to 5.3 percent.

More older unemployed

Unemployment among 45 to 64-year-olds averaged 146 thousand in the period November 2005-January 2006. This is an increase by 10 thousand on one year previously. The increase was more or less evenly spread across both genders.
The increase of the unemployment rate was lagging behind, due to ageing of the labour market. The unemployment rate among older people stood at 5.5 in the past three months, as against 5.3 one year ago.