Jobless people's purchasing power reduced by 15 percent

The purchasing power of the Dutch population improved by 0.8 percent last year. The average disposable household income was 33.5 thousand euro. 

Purchasing power civil servants up most

The purchasing power of civil servants improved most. On average, their purchasing power rose 2.3 percent. With 1.8 percent, the purchasing power of other employees also improved far beyond the average level of the entire population. The overall improvement in purchasing power of employees was 1.8 percent in 2008.

Purchasing power, provided source of income does not change, 2008*

Purchasing power pensioners stable

The purchasing power of benefit recipients barely improved. The largest group, viz. pensioners, more or less maintained their purchasing power. Benefit recipients lost 0.2 percent, while the purchasing power of unemployed improved marginally. Disabled saw their purchasing power grow by 1.1 percent, just above average.

People’s purchasing power considerably down when they lose their jobs

In general, the purchasing power of people who stop working will deteriorate. On average, people who stopped working for whatever reason in 2008 and were entitled to benefits faced a 12 percent loss of purchasing power. Employees who lost their jobs were hit particularly hard: their purchasing power was reduced by nearly 15 percent. The reduction of purchasing power of disabled and pensioners averaged approximately 10 percent.

Jobless face loss of purchasing power, 2008*

Reinder Lok