Unemployment marginally higher

Seasonally adjusted unemployment in the Netherlands stood at 300 thousand over the period October – December 2008. This is 7 thousand up on the previous three-monthly period September – November. It marks the end of a three-monthly period in which unemployment remained more or less stable.

Unemployment in the period October – December was 16 thousand down on the same period last year. Unemployment among 45 to 64-year-olds dropped by 19 thousand. Unemployment in the 25-44 age group remained fairly stable. Among young people, unemployment increased by 8 thousand. Unemployment declined mainly among women; the number of unemployed men was about the same as one year previously.

An average 3.7 percent of the total Dutch labour force were unemployed in the period October – December, as against 4.0 percent in the period October - December 2007. With 4.4 percent, female unemployment was noticeably higher than male unemployment (3.1 percent).

Seasonally adjusted unemployment