Number of unemployment benefits growing faster

Some 11 thousand more unemployment benefits (WW) were paid out in April 2009 than the month before. This brings the seasonally adjusted figure to 203 thousand. The number of unemployment benefits has been growing faster and faster since November 2008, especially among men, after years of falling rates.

Unemployment benefits, seasonally adjusted

Unemployment benefits up since November 2008

In the summer of 2005 unemployment benefits reached a peak of 330 thousand. This was followed by a reduction in the number of benefits. The lowest level since December 2001 was reached in October 2008, namely 166 thousand. Then, as a result of the economic downturn, the number of unemployment benefits increased by over 22 percent. In April 2009 a total of 203 thousand benefits were paid.

Mainly men and temp workers

The number of unemployment benefits paid to men has increased by 31 percent since November. The increase among women reached 13 percent. In recent months the unemployment among men increased faster than among women.

Many temp workers have lost their jobs in recent months. The number of temp working hours fell sharply in the first quarter of 2009. The increase in the number of unemployment benefits is highest among people who worked as temp workers. The increase between October 2008 and April 2009 was 80 percent. The number of unemployment benefits paid to people who used to work in government and education before they became unemployed fell in this period.

Unemployment benefits by province, April 2009

Limburg has most unemployment benefits

In Limburg 4 percent of the labour force receives unemployment benefits. There are also relatively many people on unemployment benefits in the three northern provinces Drenthe, Groningen en Friesland. For the Netherlands as a whole, nearly 3 percent of the labour force receives unemployment benefits.

Harrie Hartman