Unemployment rises quickly

In the period February-April 2009, seasonally adjusted unemployment stood at 338 thousand, an increase of 18 thousand relative to the period January-March. The pace in which unemployment increased has accelerated substantially.

In the period February-April, unemployment was 34 thousand up on the same period one year previously. Unemployment among men increased by 26 thousand and among women by 8 thousand. For the first time in three years more women were unemployed than one year previously.

An average of 4.6 percent of the total Dutch labour force was unemployed. The highest unemployment rate was recorded among people aged between 15 and 25, of whom 10.7 percent were jobless. In the 25 to 45 age bracket this was 3.7 percent and in the 45 to 65 age bracket 4.1 percent.

Seasonally adjusted unemployment