Developments in income support depend on under-45s

Changes in the number of households claiming income support in 2001-2011 correlate directly to the number of claimants under the age of 45. The development is strongly related to the business cycle.

Income support to over-45s fairly constant

The number of income support benefits paid to over-45s remained almost constant in the last ten years, although the number in this oldest half of the population has been rising somewhat since 2009.

Income support benefits, end of quarter

Half of under-45s claiming income support aged between 35 and 45

The age group 35-45 years has consistently accounted for about half the group of income support claimants younger than 45 years in the last ten years. Since 2009 is the number of claimants in this group has risen by 9 thousand.

Strong rise in claimants aged 25-35 years since 2009

At the end of 2011, the group of income support claimants aged 25-35 years accounted for just under 40 percent of claimants under 45. Since 2009 the number of benefits paid to 25-35 year-olds has grown strongly: from 43 thousand at the end of 2008 to 63 thousand at the end of 2011.

Relatively few claimants younger than 25

The group of income support claimants younger than 25 years is smallest, but is characterised by large inflows and outflows. As a result of the favourable economic situation, the number of claimants in this group fell from 34 thousand in the first quarter of 2004 to 14 thousand at the end of 2008. In 2009 the number of claimants in this age group started to rise again.

Income support benefits paid to under-45s

Laurens Cazander