Unemployment continues to grow
- Unemployment in December further up to 7.2 percent
- Sustained unemployment growth since mid-2011
- 18 thousand new WW benefits in December
- Fewer benefits terminated due to resumption of work in 2012 compared to 2011
The most recent figures published by Statistics Netherlands show that unemployment adjusted for seasonal variation has risen by 19 thousand in December to reach 571 thousand.
According to the Institute for Implementation of Employees’ Insurances (UWV), 340 thousand unemployment (WW) benefits were granted in December, an increase by 18 thousand relative to November.
Eighteen months of sustained unemployment growth
The unemployment rate in the Netherlands rose further in December to 7.2 percent. In November, 7.0 percent of the labour force were unemployed. Unemployment has risen almost continually since June 2011, when the rate stood at 5.0 percent. During a period of eighteen months prior to June 2011, unemployment had marginally declined.
Average increase of 10 thousand a month in 2012
The monthly unemployment growth averaged 10 thousand over the past year. Male unemployment grew more rapidly than female unemployment. Unemployment among over-45s increased by an average 4 thousand a month in 2012. The growth rate among young people and 25 to 45-year-olds was 3 thousand a month.
Dramatic increase WW benefits in construction sector last year
The number of current WW benefits in December last year was 340 thousand, i.e. an increase by 70 thousand compared to December 2011. The number of WW benefits paid to people employed in the construction sector soared by 70 percent over the past twelve months. In the provinces of Overijssel and Gelderland and among young people under the age of 25, the number of unemployment benefits also grew relatively fast during 2012.
The UWV issued more than 502 thousand new WW benefits in 2012, nearly
87 thousand more than in 2011. Last year, 432 thousand WW beneftis were terminated (14 thousand more than in 2011). The number of WW benefits terminated due to resumption of work dropped marginally last year by 3 thousand to 213 thousand.