Number of income support benefits continues to rise
- 315 thousand income support benefits
- Nearly 8 thousand benefits more in 1st quarter 2011
- Strongest relative increase for men under 27 years
According to figures released today by Statistics Netherlands, the number of income support benefits paid to people under the age of 65 rose further in the first quarter of 2011. At the end of March 2011, 315 thousand people were claiming income support, nearly 8 thousand more than at the end of 2010
The first quarter of 2011 was the ninth successive quarter showing an increase in the number of benefits. At the end of March his year, 56 thousand more benefits were being paid than at the beginning of 2009.
In relative terms, the number of income support benefits paid to young people rose by most. The largest increase was for men aged under 27 years: 8 percent. For men in the aged group 27 to 34 years the number of income support benefits rose by 6 percent. By way of comparison: the increase in the total number of income support benefits was 2.5 percent.
The income provision under the ‘investing in youth’ legislation (Wet investeren in jongeren) is intended for young people in the age group 18 to 26 years. At the end of March 2011, 36 thousand benefits were paid under this act. This is the equivalent of nearly 12 percent of the total number of income support benefits paid to people younger than 65 years.