Unemployment growing rapidly

Adjusted for seasonal variation, 592 thousand people in the Netherlands were unemployed in January 2013, an increase by 21 thousand relative to December 2012. Unemployment has risen almost continuously since mid-2011.

Seasonally adjusted unemployment

Seasonally adjusted unemployment

In January, 7.5 percent of the Dutch labour force were unemployed, as against 7.2 percent in December  2012. The unemployment rate among women is usually somewhat higher than among men. In December, 7.6 percent of the female labour force were unemployed versus 7.4 percent of the male labour force. Unemployment increased across all age groups. Youth unemployment stood at 15 percent in January.

Unemployment rate, seasonally adjusted

Unemployment rate, seasonally adjusted

More figures can be found in dossier Business cycle.

For more information on economic indicators, see the Economic Monitor.