More long-term unemployed

During the past two years, the number of people who were unemployed for twelve months or more has risen noticeably: from 91 thousand in 2009 to 139 thousand in 2011. Long-term unemployment is much more frequently found in the age category 25-45 and among lower educated. Young people are often unemployed only for a brief period of time.

One in three long-term unemployed

Nearly 420 thousand people were unemployed in 2011, i.e. an increase by 120 thousand from 2008. After a surge in short-term unemployment in 2009, long-term unemployment rose dramatically between 2009 and 2011. The number of unemployed dropped marginally in 2011, but the people who re-entered the labour market in 2011 had all been unemployed for only a short period of time.

The proportion of people who were unemployed for twelve months or more increased from nearly one quarter in 2009 to one third in 2011.

Unemployed by period of unemployment

Young people usually unemployed only for a short period of time

Unemployment increased dramatically from 20 to 31 percent among 25 to 45-year-olds over the past two years. Unemployment also increased further among 45 to 65-year-olds, an age category where long-term unemployment is traditionally high. Last year, nearly half of older unemployed had been unemployed for twelve months or more.

Although the unemployment rate among young people was relatively high (9.8 percent in 2011), the period of unemployment is usually short. Young people tend to move in and out of jobs more easily than the older generation and as a result they are more often unemployed for a short period of time. Last year, 14 percent of 15 to 25-year-olds were in the category long-term unemployed.

Proportion of long-term unemployed by age

Lower educated more often unemployed for a long period of time

Long-term unemployment also increased dramatically among lower educated. The number of lower educated people who were unemployed for twelve months or more rose from 27 percent in 2009 to 39 percent in 2011. The growth rate for long-term unemployed was marginally higher among secondary-level educated than among higher educated. In both categories, the proportion of long-term unemployed was just below average.

Proportion of long-term unemployed by level of education

Robert de Vries