684 thousand unemployed in March
Adjusted for seasonal variation, 684 thousand people in the Netherlands were unemployed in March 2014, i.e. 7 thousand fewer than in February. Nevertheless, if a longer period is taken into account, the trend in unemployment is still upwards. Unemployment decreased in March predominantly as a result of unemployed people withdrawing from the labour market, not as a result of people finding new employment. Unemployed people who are not actively seeking employment are no longer defined as belonging to the unemployed labour force.
In March, 8.7 percent in the Dutch labour force were unemployed. The rate was higher among women (9.3 percent) than among men (8.2 percent. The gap has widened over the past months as a result of recent job losses in the sectors health care and trade. Traditionally, the work force in these sectors mainly consists of women.
Seasonally adjusted unemployment
Unemployment among 25 to 44-year-olds amounted to 299 thousand in March. The number of unemployed 45 to 64-year-olds was 259 thousand, whereas youth unemployment stood at 126 thousand. Proportionally, the rate was highest among young people (15.4 percent).
Seasonally adjusted unemployment by age categories
More figures can be found in dossier Business cycle.
For more information on economic indicators, the reader is referred to Economic Monitor.