Groningen has largest proportion of young social security claimants

By the end of  2007, the municipalities of Reiderland, Pekela and Veendam in the province of Groningen had the highest proportion of young social security claimants. The social security dependency rate was also relatively high in the municipality of Heerlen. In the four municipalities mentioned above, the rate exceeded 4.5 percent, which is three times as high as the national average for young people (1.5 percent). Altogether, more than 26 thousand young people were involved.

Municipalities with the highest social security dependency rate among young people, end of 2007

Dependency rate also high in Rotterdam

The municipalities with the highest proportions of young social security claimants are found in the provinces of Groningen, Drenthe and Limburg. In municipalities with more than one hundred thousand residents, Rotterdam has the highest amount of young social security recipients (3.9 percent). In absolute terms, Rotterdam also tops the list with over 3 thousand young people involved. In Reiderland, for example, 30 young people were living on social security benefits last year.

More young claimants with foreign background 

In the native Dutch population, 0.9 percent were living on social security benefits. With 4.4 percent, the rate among young people with a non-western background was nearly five times as high. Municipalities with a high proportion of young people with a non-western background living on social security benefits are found across the Netherlands, not just in the major cities.

Social security dependency rate among young people with a foreign background by municipality, end of 2007

Many young long-term claimants in Ede

By the end of 2007, the benefit duration period of over one fifth of young social security claimants exceeded three years. Percentages were considerably higher in cities like Ede, Amsterdam, Arnhem and Zwolle. In Ede, nearly one third of the 140 young recipients lived on social security for more than three years.

Young social security recipients by benefit duration period, end of 2007

Ton van Maanen and Rolf Hut