Unemployment further up
- Unemployment rate climbs to 6.5 percent in July
- More than half a million people unemployed
- Nearly 300 thousand WW benefits
According to the latest figures released by Statistics Netherlands, seasonally adjusted unemployment climbed further to 510 thousand in July 2012, i.e. 6.5 percent of the labour force.
Figures published by the Institute for Implementation of Employees’ Insurances (UWV) show that the number of unemployment (WW) benefits has increased by more than 7 thousand to 298 thousand.
More than half a million people unemployed
Unemployment adjusted for seasonal variation grew by 14 thousand to over half a million. Unemployment has continually risen for more than a year now. More people have lost their job and relatively few unemployed managed to find a new job. For the first time since 1996, the number of unemployed has surpassed the 500 thousand mark.
More men and people older than 45 unemployed
Unemployment was also relatively high in 2004 and 2005, but remained just below 500 thousand. Male unemployment in currently higher than in 2004 and 2005. The number of older unemployed is also higher. Currently, fewer women and under-45s are unemployed.
Nearly 300 thousand WW benefits
In July, 298 thousand unemployment benefits were paid, i.e. over 7 thousand more than in June; an increase by 17.5 percent from July last year. Proportionally, unemployment grew most rapidly among young people in the past year. The number of young unemployment benefit recipients is now 54 percent above last year’s level.
Relative to one year ago, the most substantial increase in WW benefits was reported in the construction sector, but there was also an increase in the sectors health care and temp jobs. The highest regional increase occurred in the provinces of Overijssel and Zeeland.