Rapid unemployment growth continues in February

• 21 thousand new unemployed in February
• Unemployment rate further up to 7.7 percent
• Number of WW benefits grows by 7 thousand

The most recent figures released by Statistics Netherlands show that unemployment adjusted for seasonal variation grew by 21 thousand in February to 613 thousand.

According to figures published by the Institute for Implementation of Employees’ Insurances (UWV), the number of unemployment (WW) benfits increased by 7 thousand to 377 thousand.

Unemployment further up

The average monthly increase over the past three months was 20 thousand. Within a period of three months, the unemployment rate has gone up from 7.0 to 7.7 percent.
Unemployment grew more rapidly among men than among women. Three months ago, 6.8 percent in the male labour force were unemployed, versus 7.7 percent in February. The corresponding figures for women are 7.2 and 7.8 percent.

According to the International Labour Organisation (ILO), 6.2 percent of the Dutch labour force were unemployed in February, as against 6.0 percent in January.

Dramatic growth unemployment benefits in transport and storage sector

In February 2013, nearly 47 thousand new benefits were issued and more than 39 thousand benefits were terminated. As a result, the number of current benefits rose by 7 thousand to 377 thousand. Proportionally, the number of current WW benefits rose most dramatically in the province of Utrecht among under-25s and in the sector transport and storage. With 5 percent, the share of young people in the total number of benefits is rather limited.