Reduction older WW benefit recipients

At the end of December last year, 340 thousand unemployment (WW) benefits were granted, i.e. more than one and a half time as many as five years ago. The number of male recipients grew notably. Partly because the maximum benefit entitlement period was reduced, the share of 55 to 65-year-old recipients dropped to 25 percent.

Growth stronger among men than among women

The number of WW benefits granted to men has risen from 101 thousand at the end of 2007 to 190 thousand at the end of 2012. The number of unemployment benefits granted to women has risen by 60 thousand to 151 thousand over the same period. As the figures show, the increase was more substantial among men than among women.

WW benefits by gender, end of the month

Most recipients found among 45 to 55-year-olds

At the end of last year, most WW benefits ((29 percent) were paid to people aged between 45 and 55. Five years ago, the largest group of recipients was found in the 55 to 65-year-old population. This is because the maximum entitlement period for unemployment benefits was reduced from 60 to 38 months. The reduction was very unfavourable for older employees in particular.

Fewer 55 to 65-year-old men receive WW benefits

The share of over-55 WW recipients decreased among both genders. The decline was most substantial among men; from 46 percent at the end of 2007 to 28 percent at the end of 2012. The proportion increased obviously among 25 to 35-year-olds, in particular among men.

WW benefits by gender and age

Number of WW benefits relatively high among young people with non-western background

Most unemployment benefits in the native Dutch population, nearly six in ten, are paid to over-45s, but among people with a non-western background, under-45s constitute the largest group. One of the reasons is the age distribution in the non-western population in the Netherlands.
At the end of last year, more than 14 thousand benefits were paid to people with a non-western background aged between 35 and 45. The number of unemployment benefit recipients is relatively high among 35 to 45-year-olds with a Turkish or Moroccan background.

WW benefits by ethnic background and age, end of 2012

Geessiena Lycklama à Nijeholt