Male unemployment in age category 25-45 more than twice as high as three years ago
The number of unemployed men in the age category 25-45 has more than doubled over the past three years: from 46 thousand in the second quarter of 2008 to 99 thousand in the second quarter of 2011. With respect to their position on the job market, 25 to 45-year-old men suffered most by the economic crisis.
Men more seriously affected by economic crisis
The number of unemployed 25 to 45-year-old men is considerably higher than before the recession. Unemployment has also increased among over-45s of both genders, but the increase is more modest. Initially, the recession also caused unemployment to rise among young people and 25 to 45-year-old women, but in the second quarter of 2011 unemployment in these two categories returned to the pre-crisis level.
Unemployed labour force, 2nd quarter
More jobs in care sector, fewer jobs in manufacturing industry and construction
The increase in male unemployment in the 25-45 age category is partly sector-related. In the sectors manufacturing industry, construction, agriculture and commercial services approximately 200 thousand jobs were lost since the second quarter of 2008. At the same time, employment improved in the sector health care and welfare, a sector, which traditionally employs many women.
Lower labour participation rate 25 to 45-year-old men
The labour participation rate of men aged between 25 and 45 has dropped from 93 percent in the second quarter of 2008 to 88 percent three years later as a result of the economic crisis.
The number of employed will not necessarily decline, if unemployment grows. In the age category 45-65, unemployment as well as the share of employed has increased over the past three years. This is caused by the fact that more older people have become available for the job market. The share of working 45 to 65-year-old women in particular was higher in the second quarter of 2011 than three years ago.
Net labour participation, 2nd quarter
Senne Janssen and Martijn Souren