Unemployment down again

In the period March–May 2010, seasonally adjusted unemployment totalled 431 thousand, a decline by 7 thousand on the period February–April 2010. After a long period of continually rising unemployment figures, unemployment fell for the second time in a row.

Unemployment was 79 thousand higher than in March–May 2009. Male unemployment increased by 54 thousand, female unemployment by 25 thousand. Unemployment increased across all age groups and both genders.

On average, 5.6 percent of the total Dutch labour force were unemployed versus 4.6 percent one year previously. Unemployment rates for the male and female labour force were 5.5 and 5.8 percent respectively. The highest unemployment rate was recorded among men in the age category 15–25, of whom 13.4 percent were jobless.

Seasonally adjusted unemployment