Unemployment increases most rapidly in South Holland

Last year, unemployment increased in most provinces. The most substantial unemployment growth was recorded in South Holland. In the four major cities, unemployment growth was most noticeable in The Hague. Youth unemployment was reduced in the north and south of the Netherlands.

Drenthe and Overijssel only provinces to show no unemployment increase

The unemployment rate in the Netherlands rose from 4.8 to 5.4 percent in 2010. Unemployment growth was most dramatic in South Holland, where the rate rose from 4.9 to 5.9 percent. In the provinces of Gelderland and North Brabant, unemployment also rose sharply in 2010. Drenthe and Overijssel are the only provinces to show no unemployment growth.

With nearly 4 percent, the province of Zeeland had the lowest unemployment rate in 2010, just like the year before. The highest rate was recorded in Groningen (6.8 percent), followed by Flevoland with 6.5 percent and Drenthe and Limburg with 6.1 percent.

Unemployment by province

Unemployment rate high in four major cities

The unemployment rate in the four major cities in the Netherlands is above the nationwide average. Last year, 7 percent were unemployed versus 6.4 percent in 2009. The highest unemployment rate was registered in Rotterdam (8.8 percent). Utrecht was the only big city in the Netherlands with an unemployment rate (5.2 percent) below the nationwide average. The Hague showed the most dramatic unemployment increase from 5.5 percent in 2009 to 6.8 percent in 2010. The rate in Amsterdam was 6.6 percent in 2010.

Unemployment rate high in the four major cities

Youth unemployment down in the north and south of the Netherlands

Unemployment among 15 to 25-year-olds is usually rising rapidly in times of economic downturn, but from 2009 to 2010 youth unemployment was reduced in the north and south of the Netherlands. The most substantial reduction was in the north, where unemployment rates are relatively high. Youth unemployment dropped from 13.6 percent in 2009 to 12.2 percent in 2010. In the south, unemployment dropped to the level of the nationwide average for young people in 2010, i.e. 11.7 percent.

Unemployment by part of the country, 15 to 25-year-olds

Astrid Pleijers