Unemployment around 355 thousand

In the period May–July 2007, the seasonally adjusted unemployment figure stood at 356 thousand. This is 6 thousand up on April–June this year. In the last six months, the number of unemployed has fallen by an average of 3 thousand a month. 

Unemployment was 53 thousand lower than in the same period one year previously. The most substantial decrease occurred among 25-44 year-olds. In this age group unemployment fell by 47 thousand in the space of one year. Among the over-45 year-olds the decrease was less substantial, at 11 thousand. The number of unemployed young people was up by 5 thousand on one year previously.

In May–July 4.7 percent of the total Dutch labour force were unemployed, compared with 5.5 percent in the same period last year. The unemployment rate among woman clearly exceeds that among men: 6.0 percent and 3.7 percent respectively.

Unemployment, seasonally adjusted