Unemployment slightly down

Seasonally adjusted unemployment was 310 thousand in the period January – March, 4 thousand down on the previous three-month period. This slight decrease comes after a period in which seasonally adjusted unemployment remained unchanged at 314 thousand people for three periods in a row. 

Unemployment was still 65 thousand below the level of twelve months previously. For almost two and a half years now, unemployment has decreased every three-month period compared with the same period in the previous year. The most substantial reduction was recorded for 25-44 year-olds. This age group accounted for about two-thirds of the total reduction. Unemployment also fell among young people and among the over-45s. Female unemployment decreased more than male unemployment, although most unemployed people are women.

An average 4.4 percent of the total Dutch labour force were unemployed in the period January-March compared with 5.3 percent twelve months previously. The unemployment rate for women was higher than for men: 5.5 percent and 3.5 percent respectively. 

Unemployment, seasonally adjusted