Unemployment further down

In the period July–September 2007, the seasonally adjusted unemployment figure stood at 333 thousand, i.e. 14 thousand down on the period June-August. Over the last six months, the number of unemployed fell by an average of 7 thousand a month.

Unemployment was 79 thousand below the level of the same period one year previously. For two years now, unemployment has declined every three-monthly period relative to the same period in the preceding year.

The most substantial decrease occurred among 25 to 44-year-olds. Unemployment also declined among young people and over-45s. More men than women managed to find jobs.

In the period July–September, 4.3 percent of the total Dutch labour force were unemployed, as against 5.4 percent in the same period last year. The unemployment rate for women was obviously higher than for men: 5.4 percent and 3.4 percent respectively.

Unemployment, seasonally adjusted