Job market also tougher for women

In the third quarter of 2009, nearly 400  thousand people in the Netherlands were unemployed; 24 percent managed to find new jobs of twelve hours a week or more within three months, as opposed to nearly 30 percent in the same period in 2008. The most substantial decline was recorded among women.

Unemployed who had found new jobs for twelve hours a week or more within three months

Situation stable for unemployed men

One quarter of women who were unemployed in the third quarter of 2009 managed to find new jobs within three months. Their situation deteriorated considerably relative to 2008, when one third managed to find new jobs. The proportion of unemployed men who succeeded in finding new jobs hardly changed. The period required to find a new job was now the same for both genders.

Unemployed who had found new jobs for twelve hours a week or more, by gender

Young men and women most successful on the labour market

Young unemployed are most successful when it comes to finding new jobs within three months. The share of 15 to 25-year-olds who manage to find new jobs within three months is 33 percent, although the share has fallen relative to the same period in 2008. Many young people who did not find new jobs are no longer unemployed. A significant part of them are no longer actively looking for jobs or are not immediately available for the labour market, for example because they have taken up education or training.

Few over-45s manage to find new jobs within three months

Older unemployedd (aged 45−65) are unsuccessful on the labour market. In the third quarter of 2009, only 14 percent had found a new job within three months. In the 45−65 age category, 60 percent were still unemployed after three months, as against 54 percent of 25 to 45-year-olds.

Position of unemployed on the labour market after three months, by age

Harry Bierings and Robert de Vries