4 percent of the labour force unemployed

• Monthly decrease 3 thousand over the past six months
• Unemployment rate lowest among 25 to 44-year-olds

In the period May-July 2008, unemployment averaged 308 thousand, i.e. 4.0 percent of the labour force, as against 4.7 percent one year ago. According to the most recent figures released by Statistics Netherlands, unemployment declined by 3 thousand each month over the past six months.

Unemployment corrected for seasonal variation averaged 298 thousand in the period May-July 2008, 12 thousand down on the period April-June. The decline follows several months of relative stability. The unemployment survey is a sample survey and more reliable figures can be obtained by monitoring unemployment over a longer period. In the past six months, unemployment dropped by an average of 3 thousand a month.

In the period May-July 2008, the unemployment rate was 4.0 percent, virtually the same level as in the same period six years ago, but still half a percentage point above the lowest level reached in 2001. With 2.9 percent, the 25-44 age group had the lowest unemployment rate.

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