Unemployment rises further

In the period March – May 2009, seasonally adjusted unemployment stood at 348 thousand, an increase of 8 thousand relative to the period February - April.

In the period March – May, unemployment was 45 thousand up on the same period one year previously. Unemployment among men increased by 30 thousand and among women by 15 thousand. For women the rise was for all age groups. The increase for men was larger, but was completely concentrated among men aged under 45. For men aged 45 and older unemployment was stil lower than twelve months 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 3.9 percent and in the 45 to 65 age bracket 3.8 percent.

Seasonally adjusted unemployment