Unemployment further down in December

19/01/2023 15:00

More recent figures are available on this topic. View the latest figures here.

In December, 352 thousand people were unemployed. From September through November, unemployment declined by an average of 10 thousand per month. The employed labour force (15 to 74 years) grew by an average of 45 thousand per month. Statistics Netherlands (CBS) reports this on the basis of new labour force figures. At the end of December, the Employee Insurance Agency (UWV) recorded 149 thousand current unemployment (WW) benefits.

In December, 3.6 million people aged 15 to 74 years did not have paid work for a variety of reasons. Aside from the unemployed, 3.3 million people were not looking and/or immediately available for work; they are not counted towards the labour force. These people are not counted towards the labour force. These are mainly retirees and people unable to work due to illness or disability. This inactive labour force has dropped by an average of 19 thousand per month over the past three months.

Unemployment rate December down to 3.5%

In order to enable comparison of cyclical developments in the labour market across countries, the unemployment indicator of the International Labour Organization (ILO) is used as a measure. According to this indicator, the unemployed are those who are not in paid work but have been looking recently and are immediately available. This figure refers to the population aged 15 to 74 years.

In April 2022, unemployment came out at 3.2 percent, the lowest rate in the series with monthly figures as of 2003. It subsequently increased to 3.8 percent in August, but decreased after that. In December 2022, there were 352 thousand unemployed, equivalent to 3.5 percent of the labour force.

Unemployment and WW unemployment benefits
		Unemployment indicator (ILO) (15 to 74 yrs, seasonally adjusted) (x 1,000)	WW unemployment benefits (15 yrs up to state pension age) (x 1,000)
2012	January	595	292
2012	February	586	299
2012	March	593	296
2012	April	618	292
2012	May	609	291
2012	June	609	291
2012	July	623	298
2012	August	620	304
2012	September	634	304
2012	October	644	310
2012	November	655	322
2012	December	676	340
2013	January	692	369
2013	February	707	377
2013	March	728	380
2013	April	734	380
2013	May	747	378
2013	June	766	382
2013	July	782	395
2013	August	783	399
2013	September	783	400
2013	October	782	408
2013	November	772	419
2013	December	779	438
2014	January	786	460
2014	February	800	460
2014	March	794	454
2014	April	787	443
2014	May	775	436
2014	June	757	431
2014	July	746	437
2014	August	738	430
2014	September	733	420
2014	October	738	419
2014	November	742	425
2014	December	753	441
2015	January	760	458
2015	February	747	455
2015	March	745	443
2015	April	743	427
2015	May	732	416
2015	June	725	410
2015	July	708	420
2015	August	708	420
2015	September	712	417
2015	October	722	421
2015	November	703	427
2015	December	695	446
2016	January	680	465
2016	February	688	469
2016	March	680	470
2016	April	679	461
2016	May	668	448
2016	June	656	438
2016	July	648	432
2016	August	628	427
2016	September	617	424
2016	October	609	420
2016	November	607	410
2016	December	590	412
2017	January	588	419
2017	February	582	416
2017	March	571	415
2017	April	563	401
2017	May	564	386
2017	June	555	372
2017	July	544	364
2017	August	534	362
2017	September	529	351
2017	October	511	343
2017	November	504	337
2017	December	503	330
2018	January	487	335
2018	February	474	330
2018	March	465	327
2018	April	463	314
2018	May	460	301
2018	June	463	288
2018	July	458	279
2018	August	463	278
2018	September	451	274
2018	October	444	269
2018	November	433	267
2018	December	437	263
2019	January	437	279
2019	February	419	274
2019	March	416	268
2019	April	409	257
2019	May	411	251
2019	June	423	243
2019	July	424	234
2019	August	432	237
2019	September	432	233
2019	October	432	233
2019	November	434	228
2019	December	409	223
2020	January	390	241
2020	February	383	240
2020	March	388	250
2020	April	427	292
2020	May	439	301
2020	June	513	301
2020	July	532	301
2020	August	533	292
2020	September	519	278
2020	October	509	278
2020	November	485	276
2020	December	476	286
2021	January	448	289
2021	February	450	286
2021	March	439	282
2021	April	427	266
2021	May	419	250
2021	June	405	238
2021	July	393	224
2021	August	406	213
2021	September	399	208
2021	October	382	199
2021	November	359	189
2021	December	369	192
2022	January	354	193
2022	February	336	188
2022	March	327	184
2022	April	316	175
2022	May	323	165
2022	June	339	161
2022	July	353	157
2022	August	378	152
2022	September	382	152
2022	October	365	150
2022	November	364	145
2022	December	352	149

Unemployment and WW unemployment benefits
		Unemployment indicator (ILO) (15 to 74 yrs, seasonally adjusted) (x 1,000)	WW unemployment benefits (15 yrs up to state pension age) (x 1,000)
2012	January	595	292
2012	February	586	299
2012	March	593	296
2012	April	618	292
2012	May	609	291
2012	June	609	291
2012	July	623	298
2012	August	620	304
2012	September	634	304
2012	October	644	310
2012	November	655	322
2012	December	676	340
2013	January	692	369
2013	February	707	377
2013	March	728	380
2013	April	734	380
2013	May	747	378
2013	June	766	382
2013	July	782	395
2013	August	783	399
2013	September	783	400
2013	October	782	408
2013	November	772	419
2013	December	779	438
2014	January	786	460
2014	February	800	460
2014	March	794	454
2014	April	787	443
2014	May	775	436
2014	June	757	431
2014	July	746	437
2014	August	738	430
2014	September	733	420
2014	October	738	419
2014	November	742	425
2014	December	753	441
2015	January	760	458
2015	February	747	455
2015	March	745	443
2015	April	743	427
2015	May	732	416
2015	June	725	410
2015	July	708	420
2015	August	708	420
2015	September	712	417
2015	October	722	421
2015	November	703	427
2015	December	695	446
2016	January	680	465
2016	February	688	469
2016	March	680	470
2016	April	679	461
2016	May	668	448
2016	June	656	438
2016	July	648	432
2016	August	628	427
2016	September	617	424
2016	October	609	420
2016	November	607	410
2016	December	590	412
2017	January	588	419
2017	February	582	416
2017	March	571	415
2017	April	563	401
2017	May	564	386
2017	June	555	372
2017	July	544	364
2017	August	534	362
2017	September	529	351
2017	October	511	343
2017	November	504	337
2017	December	503	330
2018	January	487	335
2018	February	474	330
2018	March	465	327
2018	April	463	314
2018	May	460	301
2018	June	463	288
2018	July	458	279
2018	August	463	278
2018	September	451	274
2018	October	444	269
2018	November	433	267
2018	December	437	263
2019	January	437	279
2019	February	419	274
2019	March	416	268
2019	April	409	257
2019	May	411	251
2019	June	423	243
2019	July	424	234
2019	August	432	237
2019	September	432	233
2019	October	432	233
2019	November	434	228
2019	December	409	223
2020	January	390	241
2020	February	383	240
2020	March	388	250
2020	April	427	292
2020	May	439	301
2020	June	513	301
2020	July	532	301
2020	August	533	292
2020	September	519	278
2020	October	509	278
2020	November	485	276
2020	December	476	286
2021	January	448	289
2021	February	450	286
2021	March	439	282
2021	April	427	266
2021	May	419	250
2021	June	405	238
2021	July	393	224
2021	August	406	213
2021	September	399	208
2021	October	382	199
2021	November	359	189
2021	December	369	192
2022	January	354	193
2022	February	336	188
2022	March	327	184
2022	April	316	175
2022	May	323	165
2022	June	339	161
2022	July	353	157
2022	August	378	152
2022	September	382	152
2022	October	365	150
2022	November	364	145
2022	December	352	149

UWV: More WW benefits in December

From November to December 2022, the number of WW benefits increased by 4.3 thousand, ending at 149.2 thousand by the end of December. An increase in the number of WW benefits during the winter months is an annually recurring seasonal pattern. Relative to one year previously, the number of current WW benefits was down by 42.6 thousand (-22.2 percent).

UWV: More WW benefits in temporary employment, agriculture and construction sectors

Various seasonal sectors saw an increase in the number of unemployment (WW) benefits over December. In agriculture for instance, the number rose by 20.8 percent, in construction by 31.0 percent, and among temporary employment agencies by 10.8 percent. In all these sectors, the number of unemployment (WW) benefits at the end of 2022 was still below the level of one year previously.

Increase in labour participation highest among young people

In December, the unemployment rate was slightly lower at 3.5 in December than at the start of 2022 (3.6 percent in January). In the same period, net labour participation rose from 71.5 to 72.9 percent. This means that, in December, 72.9 percent of the population aged 15 to 74 years had paid work. Labour participation rose across all age groups, but most significantly among young people. More young men in particular had paid work.

Net labour participation rate
Year	Month	15 to 74 yrs (%)	15 to 24 yrs (%)	25 to 44 yrs (%)	45 to 74 yrs (%)
'03	January	66.1	71.8	83.1	48.2
'03	February	66.0	71.5	83.1	48.4
'03	March	65.9	71.5	82.8	48.2
'03	April	65.8	71.7	82.7	48.1
'03	May	65.8	71.5	82.8	48.1
'03	June	65.6	71.0	82.7	48.1
'03	July	65.7	70.5	82.8	48.3
'03	August	65.6	70.3	82.7	48.4
'03	September	65.5	69.7	82.6	48.4
'03	October	65.5	70.0	82.5	48.4
'03	November	65.4	69.8	82.4	48.3
'03	December	65.2	69.0	82.3	48.4
'04	January	65.3	69.0	82.4	48.5
'04	February	65.3	68.8	82.6	48.4
'04	March	65.2	68.4	82.6	48.4
'04	April	65.2	68.4	82.6	48.4
'04	May	65.2	68.5	82.6	48.5
'04	June	65.1	68.2	82.6	48.5
'04	July	65.3	68.0	83.0	48.7
'04	August	65.2	67.7	82.9	48.6
'04	September	65.1	67.2	83.0	48.7
'04	October	65.2	67.0	82.9	48.9
'04	November	65.2	67.3	82.8	49.0
'04	December	65.2	67.1	82.8	49.1
'05	January	65.1	67.1	82.6	49.2
'05	February	65.1	67.0	82.7	49.2
'05	March	65.2	67.3	82.8	49.2
'05	April	65.4	67.7	82.9	49.4
'05	May	65.4	67.4	83.1	49.5
'05	June	65.5	67.7	83.1	49.6
'05	July	65.4	67.3	83.0	49.6
'05	August	65.5	67.3	83.2	49.7
'05	September	65.7	67.7	83.3	49.8
'05	October	65.7	67.8	83.4	49.9
'05	November	65.8	68.0	83.5	49.8
'05	December	65.8	68.1	83.7	49.9
'06	January	65.9	68.0	84.1	49.9
'06	February	65.9	67.7	84.2	49.8
'06	March	66.0	68.1	84.3	49.8
'06	April	66.1	68.3	84.4	49.9
'06	May	66.0	68.1	84.2	49.9
'06	June	66.2	68.7	84.5	50.1
'06	July	66.2	68.8	84.5	50.1
'06	August	66.4	68.8	84.8	50.2
'06	September	66.5	68.9	84.9	50.5
'06	October	66.7	69.3	85.0	50.6
'06	November	66.8	69.5	85.2	50.8
'06	December	67.1	69.7	85.3	51.2
'07	January	67.2	69.8	85.5	51.3
'07	February	67.3	69.9	85.6	51.5
'07	March	67.6	70.4	85.8	51.8
'07	April	67.8	70.8	86.1	52.0
'07	May	67.8	70.8	86.0	51.9
'07	June	68.1	71.3	86.3	52.3
'07	July	68.0	71.0	86.3	52.2
'07	August	68.3	71.5	86.4	52.6
'07	September	68.3	72.0	86.4	52.6
'07	October	68.4	72.3	86.5	52.7
'07	November	68.4	72.0	86.6	52.7
'07	December	68.5	72.1	86.7	52.8
'08	January	68.7	72.4	86.9	53.1
'08	February	69.0	72.3	87.2	53.4
'08	March	69.0	72.4	87.3	53.4
'08	April	69.2	72.6	87.5	53.6
'08	May	69.2	72.4	87.6	53.7
'08	June	69.2	72.5	87.7	53.7
'08	July	69.3	72.5	87.7	53.8
'08	August	69.3	72.2	87.9	53.9
'08	September	69.3	72.1	87.7	54.0
'08	October	69.4	72.2	87.8	54.2
'08	November	69.5	72.1	87.8	54.4
'08	December	69.4	72.3	87.7	54.4
'09	January	69.6	72.3	87.8	54.7
'09	February	69.6	72.5	87.7	54.8
'09	March	69.6	72.2	87.7	54.9
'09	April	69.3	71.9	87.3	54.7
'09	May	69.2	71.6	87.2	54.8
'09	June	69.1	71.1	87.0	54.7
'09	July	68.8	70.4	86.8	54.7
'09	August	68.7	70.2	86.7	54.6
'09	September	68.6	70.1	86.6	54.6
'09	October	68.4	69.6	86.5	54.6
'09	November	68.3	69.1	86.2	54.5
'09	December	68.2	69.2	86.1	54.5
'10	January	68.1	68.8	86.0	54.5
'10	February	68.0	68.7	85.8	54.5
'10	March	67.8	68.6	85.7	54.4
'10	April	68.0	68.7	85.8	54.6
'10	May	68.0	68.6	85.9	54.7
'10	June	67.9	68.4	85.8	54.7
'10	July	68.0	68.5	85.8	54.8
'10	August	68.0	68.4	85.9	54.8
'10	September	68.0	68.6	85.9	54.7
'10	October	68.0	68.4	86.1	54.8
'10	November	68.1	68.6	86.1	54.9
'10	December	68.1	68.6	86.2	54.9
'11	January	67.9	68.3	86.1	54.7
'11	February	67.9	68.8	85.9	54.7
'11	March	67.7	68.6	85.6	54.5
'11	April	67.7	68.9	85.5	54.5
'11	May	67.5	68.9	85.1	54.6
'11	June	67.8	69.3	85.1	54.9
'11	July	67.6	68.7	84.8	54.9
'11	August	67.7	69.2	84.7	55.0
'11	September	67.9	69.7	85.0	55.1
'11	October	67.9	69.8	85.0	55.2
'11	November	68.0	69.9	85.0	55.4
'11	December	68.1	69.9	85.2	55.6
'12	January	68.0	69.6	85.0	55.6
'12	February	68.0	69.1	85.2	55.6
'12	March	67.8	69.0	84.9	55.5
'12	April	67.8	69.1	84.6	55.6
'12	May	67.8	69.0	84.7	55.6
'12	June	67.8	68.7	84.8	55.6
'12	July	67.6	68.6	84.5	55.6
'12	August	67.8	69.0	84.8	55.6
'12	September	67.8	68.9	85.0	55.5
'12	October	67.7	69.0	84.8	55.4
'12	November	67.5	69.0	84.5	55.2
'12	December	67.4	68.9	84.2	55.2
'13	January	67.2	68.7	83.8	55.2
'13	February	67.1	68.4	83.6	55.2
'13	March	67.0	68.3	83.6	55.2
'13	April	66.9	68.5	83.4	55.0
'13	May	66.8	68.3	83.3	54.9
'13	June	66.7	68.1	83.1	54.9
'13	July	66.5	67.4	83.0	55.0
'13	August	66.5	67.4	83.0	55.0
'13	September	66.6	67.3	83.0	55.2
'13	October	66.7	67.8	83.0	55.3
'13	November	66.6	67.6	83.1	55.1
'13	December	66.3	67.2	82.8	54.8
'14	January	66.2	66.9	82.6	54.8
'14	February	66.1	66.4	82.5	54.9
'14	March	65.8	66.0	82.3	54.6
'14	April	65.9	66.1	82.5	54.6
'14	May	66.0	66.2	82.8	54.7
'14	June	66.0	66.2	82.8	54.8
'14	July	66.1	66.5	82.8	54.9
'14	August	66.2	66.4	82.9	55.1
'14	September	66.3	66.7	83.0	55.1
'14	October	66.5	67.0	83.4	55.3
'14	November	66.6	67.4	83.4	55.2
'14	December	66.5	67.4	83.3	55.2
'15	January	66.6	68.0	83.4	55.2
'15	February	66.6	68.4	83.2	55.2
'15	March	66.5	68.7	83.0	55.1
'15	April	66.6	68.9	82.9	55.3
'15	May	66.7	68.9	83.1	55.3
'15	June	66.7	69.0	83.2	55.4
'15	July	66.7	68.6	83.3	55.4
'15	August	66.8	68.6	83.3	55.5
'15	September	66.7	68.4	83.3	55.5
'15	October	66.7	68.3	83.5	55.4
'15	November	66.7	68.2	83.5	55.4
'15	December	66.7	68.0	83.6	55.5
'16	January	66.8	67.9	83.6	55.7
'16	February	66.8	68.2	83.6	55.6
'16	March	66.8	68.1	83.5	55.7
'16	April	67.0	68.6	83.8	55.8
'16	May	67.0	68.7	83.8	55.7
'16	June	67.1	68.5	83.7	56.0
'16	July	67.2	68.6	83.8	56.2
'16	August	67.3	68.8	83.9	56.2
'16	September	67.3	68.7	83.7	56.5
'16	October	67.4	68.7	83.9	56.5
'16	November	67.4	68.7	83.9	56.4
'16	December	67.5	68.7	84.1	56.5
'17	January	67.6	69.0	84.1	56.7
'17	February	67.5	68.8	84.1	56.6
'17	March	67.7	68.9	84.4	56.7
'17	April	67.7	69.0	84.4	56.7
'17	May	67.7	69.5	84.3	56.7
'17	June	67.8	69.8	84.3	56.8
'17	July	68.0	70.2	84.3	57.1
'17	August	68.1	70.2	84.4	57.2
'17	September	68.2	70.7	84.3	57.3
'17	October	68.2	70.8	84.3	57.3
'17	November	68.3	71.1	84.2	57.4
'17	December	68.3	71.0	84.3	57.3
'18	January	68.5	71.4	84.6	57.4
'18	February	68.5	71.2	84.7	57.5
'18	March	68.7	71.2	84.8	57.8
'18	April	68.8	71.3	84.8	57.9
'18	May	68.9	71.5	85.2	57.9
'18	June	69.0	71.3	85.5	57.9
'18	July	69.1	71.1	85.7	58.0
'18	August	69.3	71.2	86.0	58.2
'18	September	69.4	71.4	86.1	58.3
'18	October	69.5	71.8	85.9	58.4
'18	November	69.7	72.1	86.2	58.6
'18	December	69.7	72.5	86.0	58.5
'19	January	69.8	72.7	86.1	58.7
'19	February	69.9	72.8	86.1	58.8
'19	March	69.9	72.7	86.2	58.8
'19	April	70.0	73.1	86.0	58.9
'19	May	70.0	73.1	86.0	58.9
'19	June	70.1	72.9	86.0	59.1
'19	July	70.0	72.6	86.0	59.2
'19	August	70.0	72.5	85.9	59.2
'19	September	70.1	72.3	86.0	59.3
'19	October	70.2	72.7	85.9	59.5
'19	November	70.2	73.0	85.8	59.4
'19	December	70.4	73.6	85.9	59.5
'20	January	70.6	73.6	86.2	59.7
'20	February	70.5	73.5	86.2	59.7
'20	March	70.3	72.8	86.1	59.5
'20	April	69.2	68.1	85.8	58.9
'20	May	69.0	66.9	85.6	59.2
'20	June	69.2	68.2	85.3	59.3
'20	July	69.2	68.2	85.3	59.3
'20	August	69.3	68.3	85.4	59.3
'20	September	69.2	68.7	85.5	59.0
'20	October	69.5	70.3	85.7	59.0
'20	November	69.7	70.2	85.8	59.3
'20	December	69.7	69.8	85.9	59.4
'21	January	69.7	69.8	85.9	59.4
'21	February	69.9	69.9	86.1	59.5
'21	March	69.7	69.9	86.0	59.2
'21	April	69.8	70.2	86.1	59.2
'21	May	69.8	70.2	86.1	59.3
'21	June	70.4	71.9	86.4	59.6
'21	July	70.5	72.3	86.5	59.7
'21	August	70.7	72.7	86.4	59.9
'21	September	70.8	72.8	86.6	60.0
'21	October	71.1	73.1	86.9	60.2
'21	November	71.2	73.3	87.0	60.3
'21	December	71.2	73.7	86.7	60.4
'22	January	71.5	74.3	86.9	60.5
'22	February	71.6	74.8	87.0	60.5
'22	March	72.0	75.6	87.2	60.9
'22	April	72.2	75.9	87.5	61.1
'22	May	72.3	76.1	87.4	61.1
'22	June	72.2	75.7	87.2	61.1
'22	July	72.2	75.6	87.3	61.1
'22	August	72.1	74.9	87.3	61.2
'22	September	72.1	75.0	87.2	61.3
'22	October	72.3	75.5	87.2	61.5
'22	November	72.6	75.7	87.5	61.7
'22	December	72.9	76.3	87.7	62.0

Net labour participation rate
Year	Month	15 to 74 yrs (%)	15 to 24 yrs (%)	25 to 44 yrs (%)	45 to 74 yrs (%)
'03	January	66.1	71.8	83.1	48.2
'03	February	66.0	71.5	83.1	48.4
'03	March	65.9	71.5	82.8	48.2
'03	April	65.8	71.7	82.7	48.1
'03	May	65.8	71.5	82.8	48.1
'03	June	65.6	71.0	82.7	48.1
'03	July	65.7	70.5	82.8	48.3
'03	August	65.6	70.3	82.7	48.4
'03	September	65.5	69.7	82.6	48.4
'03	October	65.5	70.0	82.5	48.4
'03	November	65.4	69.8	82.4	48.3
'03	December	65.2	69.0	82.3	48.4
'04	January	65.3	69.0	82.4	48.5
'04	February	65.3	68.8	82.6	48.4
'04	March	65.2	68.4	82.6	48.4
'04	April	65.2	68.4	82.6	48.4
'04	May	65.2	68.5	82.6	48.5
'04	June	65.1	68.2	82.6	48.5
'04	July	65.3	68.0	83.0	48.7
'04	August	65.2	67.7	82.9	48.6
'04	September	65.1	67.2	83.0	48.7
'04	October	65.2	67.0	82.9	48.9
'04	November	65.2	67.3	82.8	49.0
'04	December	65.2	67.1	82.8	49.1
'05	January	65.1	67.1	82.6	49.2
'05	February	65.1	67.0	82.7	49.2
'05	March	65.2	67.3	82.8	49.2
'05	April	65.4	67.7	82.9	49.4
'05	May	65.4	67.4	83.1	49.5
'05	June	65.5	67.7	83.1	49.6
'05	July	65.4	67.3	83.0	49.6
'05	August	65.5	67.3	83.2	49.7
'05	September	65.7	67.7	83.3	49.8
'05	October	65.7	67.8	83.4	49.9
'05	November	65.8	68.0	83.5	49.8
'05	December	65.8	68.1	83.7	49.9
'06	January	65.9	68.0	84.1	49.9
'06	February	65.9	67.7	84.2	49.8
'06	March	66.0	68.1	84.3	49.8
'06	April	66.1	68.3	84.4	49.9
'06	May	66.0	68.1	84.2	49.9
'06	June	66.2	68.7	84.5	50.1
'06	July	66.2	68.8	84.5	50.1
'06	August	66.4	68.8	84.8	50.2
'06	September	66.5	68.9	84.9	50.5
'06	October	66.7	69.3	85.0	50.6
'06	November	66.8	69.5	85.2	50.8
'06	December	67.1	69.7	85.3	51.2
'07	January	67.2	69.8	85.5	51.3
'07	February	67.3	69.9	85.6	51.5
'07	March	67.6	70.4	85.8	51.8
'07	April	67.8	70.8	86.1	52.0
'07	May	67.8	70.8	86.0	51.9
'07	June	68.1	71.3	86.3	52.3
'07	July	68.0	71.0	86.3	52.2
'07	August	68.3	71.5	86.4	52.6
'07	September	68.3	72.0	86.4	52.6
'07	October	68.4	72.3	86.5	52.7
'07	November	68.4	72.0	86.6	52.7
'07	December	68.5	72.1	86.7	52.8
'08	January	68.7	72.4	86.9	53.1
'08	February	69.0	72.3	87.2	53.4
'08	March	69.0	72.4	87.3	53.4
'08	April	69.2	72.6	87.5	53.6
'08	May	69.2	72.4	87.6	53.7
'08	June	69.2	72.5	87.7	53.7
'08	July	69.3	72.5	87.7	53.8
'08	August	69.3	72.2	87.9	53.9
'08	September	69.3	72.1	87.7	54.0
'08	October	69.4	72.2	87.8	54.2
'08	November	69.5	72.1	87.8	54.4
'08	December	69.4	72.3	87.7	54.4
'09	January	69.6	72.3	87.8	54.7
'09	February	69.6	72.5	87.7	54.8
'09	March	69.6	72.2	87.7	54.9
'09	April	69.3	71.9	87.3	54.7
'09	May	69.2	71.6	87.2	54.8
'09	June	69.1	71.1	87.0	54.7
'09	July	68.8	70.4	86.8	54.7
'09	August	68.7	70.2	86.7	54.6
'09	September	68.6	70.1	86.6	54.6
'09	October	68.4	69.6	86.5	54.6
'09	November	68.3	69.1	86.2	54.5
'09	December	68.2	69.2	86.1	54.5
'10	January	68.1	68.8	86.0	54.5
'10	February	68.0	68.7	85.8	54.5
'10	March	67.8	68.6	85.7	54.4
'10	April	68.0	68.7	85.8	54.6
'10	May	68.0	68.6	85.9	54.7
'10	June	67.9	68.4	85.8	54.7
'10	July	68.0	68.5	85.8	54.8
'10	August	68.0	68.4	85.9	54.8
'10	September	68.0	68.6	85.9	54.7
'10	October	68.0	68.4	86.1	54.8
'10	November	68.1	68.6	86.1	54.9
'10	December	68.1	68.6	86.2	54.9
'11	January	67.9	68.3	86.1	54.7
'11	February	67.9	68.8	85.9	54.7
'11	March	67.7	68.6	85.6	54.5
'11	April	67.7	68.9	85.5	54.5
'11	May	67.5	68.9	85.1	54.6
'11	June	67.8	69.3	85.1	54.9
'11	July	67.6	68.7	84.8	54.9
'11	August	67.7	69.2	84.7	55.0
'11	September	67.9	69.7	85.0	55.1
'11	October	67.9	69.8	85.0	55.2
'11	November	68.0	69.9	85.0	55.4
'11	December	68.1	69.9	85.2	55.6
'12	January	68.0	69.6	85.0	55.6
'12	February	68.0	69.1	85.2	55.6
'12	March	67.8	69.0	84.9	55.5
'12	April	67.8	69.1	84.6	55.6
'12	May	67.8	69.0	84.7	55.6
'12	June	67.8	68.7	84.8	55.6
'12	July	67.6	68.6	84.5	55.6
'12	August	67.8	69.0	84.8	55.6
'12	September	67.8	68.9	85.0	55.5
'12	October	67.7	69.0	84.8	55.4
'12	November	67.5	69.0	84.5	55.2
'12	December	67.4	68.9	84.2	55.2
'13	January	67.2	68.7	83.8	55.2
'13	February	67.1	68.4	83.6	55.2
'13	March	67.0	68.3	83.6	55.2
'13	April	66.9	68.5	83.4	55.0
'13	May	66.8	68.3	83.3	54.9
'13	June	66.7	68.1	83.1	54.9
'13	July	66.5	67.4	83.0	55.0
'13	August	66.5	67.4	83.0	55.0
'13	September	66.6	67.3	83.0	55.2
'13	October	66.7	67.8	83.0	55.3
'13	November	66.6	67.6	83.1	55.1
'13	December	66.3	67.2	82.8	54.8
'14	January	66.2	66.9	82.6	54.8
'14	February	66.1	66.4	82.5	54.9
'14	March	65.8	66.0	82.3	54.6
'14	April	65.9	66.1	82.5	54.6
'14	May	66.0	66.2	82.8	54.7
'14	June	66.0	66.2	82.8	54.8
'14	July	66.1	66.5	82.8	54.9
'14	August	66.2	66.4	82.9	55.1
'14	September	66.3	66.7	83.0	55.1
'14	October	66.5	67.0	83.4	55.3
'14	November	66.6	67.4	83.4	55.2
'14	December	66.5	67.4	83.3	55.2
'15	January	66.6	68.0	83.4	55.2
'15	February	66.6	68.4	83.2	55.2
'15	March	66.5	68.7	83.0	55.1
'15	April	66.6	68.9	82.9	55.3
'15	May	66.7	68.9	83.1	55.3
'15	June	66.7	69.0	83.2	55.4
'15	July	66.7	68.6	83.3	55.4
'15	August	66.8	68.6	83.3	55.5
'15	September	66.7	68.4	83.3	55.5
'15	October	66.7	68.3	83.5	55.4
'15	November	66.7	68.2	83.5	55.4
'15	December	66.7	68.0	83.6	55.5
'16	January	66.8	67.9	83.6	55.7
'16	February	66.8	68.2	83.6	55.6
'16	March	66.8	68.1	83.5	55.7
'16	April	67.0	68.6	83.8	55.8
'16	May	67.0	68.7	83.8	55.7
'16	June	67.1	68.5	83.7	56.0
'16	July	67.2	68.6	83.8	56.2
'16	August	67.3	68.8	83.9	56.2
'16	September	67.3	68.7	83.7	56.5
'16	October	67.4	68.7	83.9	56.5
'16	November	67.4	68.7	83.9	56.4
'16	December	67.5	68.7	84.1	56.5
'17	January	67.6	69.0	84.1	56.7
'17	February	67.5	68.8	84.1	56.6
'17	March	67.7	68.9	84.4	56.7
'17	April	67.7	69.0	84.4	56.7
'17	May	67.7	69.5	84.3	56.7
'17	June	67.8	69.8	84.3	56.8
'17	July	68.0	70.2	84.3	57.1
'17	August	68.1	70.2	84.4	57.2
'17	September	68.2	70.7	84.3	57.3
'17	October	68.2	70.8	84.3	57.3
'17	November	68.3	71.1	84.2	57.4
'17	December	68.3	71.0	84.3	57.3
'18	January	68.5	71.4	84.6	57.4
'18	February	68.5	71.2	84.7	57.5
'18	March	68.7	71.2	84.8	57.8
'18	April	68.8	71.3	84.8	57.9
'18	May	68.9	71.5	85.2	57.9
'18	June	69.0	71.3	85.5	57.9
'18	July	69.1	71.1	85.7	58.0
'18	August	69.3	71.2	86.0	58.2
'18	September	69.4	71.4	86.1	58.3
'18	October	69.5	71.8	85.9	58.4
'18	November	69.7	72.1	86.2	58.6
'18	December	69.7	72.5	86.0	58.5
'19	January	69.8	72.7	86.1	58.7
'19	February	69.9	72.8	86.1	58.8
'19	March	69.9	72.7	86.2	58.8
'19	April	70.0	73.1	86.0	58.9
'19	May	70.0	73.1	86.0	58.9
'19	June	70.1	72.9	86.0	59.1
'19	July	70.0	72.6	86.0	59.2
'19	August	70.0	72.5	85.9	59.2
'19	September	70.1	72.3	86.0	59.3
'19	October	70.2	72.7	85.9	59.5
'19	November	70.2	73.0	85.8	59.4
'19	December	70.4	73.6	85.9	59.5
'20	January	70.6	73.6	86.2	59.7
'20	February	70.5	73.5	86.2	59.7
'20	March	70.3	72.8	86.1	59.5
'20	April	69.2	68.1	85.8	58.9
'20	May	69.0	66.9	85.6	59.2
'20	June	69.2	68.2	85.3	59.3
'20	July	69.2	68.2	85.3	59.3
'20	August	69.3	68.3	85.4	59.3
'20	September	69.2	68.7	85.5	59.0
'20	October	69.5	70.3	85.7	59.0
'20	November	69.7	70.2	85.8	59.3
'20	December	69.7	69.8	85.9	59.4
'21	January	69.7	69.8	85.9	59.4
'21	February	69.9	69.9	86.1	59.5
'21	March	69.7	69.9	86.0	59.2
'21	April	69.8	70.2	86.1	59.2
'21	May	69.8	70.2	86.1	59.3
'21	June	70.4	71.9	86.4	59.6
'21	July	70.5	72.3	86.5	59.7
'21	August	70.7	72.7	86.4	59.9
'21	September	70.8	72.8	86.6	60.0
'21	October	71.1	73.1	86.9	60.2
'21	November	71.2	73.3	87.0	60.3
'21	December	71.2	73.7	86.7	60.4
'22	January	71.5	74.3	86.9	60.5
'22	February	71.6	74.8	87.0	60.5
'22	March	72.0	75.6	87.2	60.9
'22	April	72.2	75.9	87.5	61.1
'22	May	72.3	76.1	87.4	61.1
'22	June	72.2	75.7	87.2	61.1
'22	July	72.2	75.6	87.3	61.1
'22	August	72.1	74.9	87.3	61.2
'22	September	72.1	75.0	87.2	61.3
'22	October	72.3	75.5	87.2	61.5
'22	November	72.6	75.7	87.5	61.7
'22	December	72.9	76.3	87.7	62.0

More job gains and smaller inflow from inactive to employed labour force

There were 30 thousand fewer unemployed in December than three months previously (a decrease of 10 thousand per month on average). The decline in unemployment over the past three months is the result of underlying flows between the active, unemployed and inactive labour force. This is visualised in the diagram below.

The diagram shows that unemployment may decrease not only because more unemployed find a job than employed people lose jobs, but also because more people stop seeking work than start seeking work.
In December, the net outflow from unemployment to employment came out at 55 thousand. Since October, the flow from employment to unemployment has decreased, whereas the flow in the opposite direction has increased. Earlier this year (between June and September), the inflow to unemployment increased as more jobs were lost, while the flow from unemployed to employed remained virtually unchanged. This resulted in a relatively small net outflow from unemployment to employment in August and September.

Outflow from unemployment to employment (previous three months' balance)
Year	Month	Outflow from unemployment to employment (balance) (x 1 000)
2020	January	63
2020	February	70
2020	March	54
2020	April	-6
2020	May	-32
2020	June	-83
2020	July	-14
2020	August	18
2020	September	62
2020	October	59
2020	November	59
2020	December	52
2021	January	60
2021	February	52
2021	March	52
2021	April	47
2021	May	51
2021	June	55
2021	July	60
2021	August	52
2021	September	43
2021	October	44
2021	November	65
2021	December	61
2022	January	64
2022	February	62
2022	March	64
2022	April	60
2022	May	59
2022	June	39
2022	July	20
2022	August	5
2022	September	6
2022	October	21
2022	November	43
2022	December	55

Outflow from unemployment to employment (previous three months' balance)
Year	Month	Outflow from unemployment to employment (balance) (x 1 000)
2020	January	63
2020	February	70
2020	March	54
2020	April	-6
2020	May	-32
2020	June	-83
2020	July	-14
2020	August	18
2020	September	62
2020	October	59
2020	November	59
2020	December	52
2021	January	60
2021	February	52
2021	March	52
2021	April	47
2021	May	51
2021	June	55
2021	July	60
2021	August	52
2021	September	43
2021	October	44
2021	November	65
2021	December	61
2022	January	64
2022	February	62
2022	March	64
2022	April	60
2022	May	59
2022	June	39
2022	July	20
2022	August	5
2022	September	6
2022	October	21
2022	November	43
2022	December	55

In December, the inflow of unemployed into the inactive labour force amounted to 24 thousand on balance. This was lower than in the months of May through November. Net inflow peaked at 61 thousand in August. Due to the larger outflow into employment and the smaller net inflow from the inactive labour force, unemployment fell from 382 thousand in September to 352 thousand in December, thus decreasing by 30 thousand.

Inflow to unemployment from the inactive labour force (previous three months' balance)
Year	Month	Inflow ot unemployment from the inactive labour force (x 1 000)
2020	January	21
2020	February	18
2020	March	33
2020	April	32
2020	May	24
2020	June	42
2020	July	91
2020	August	112
2020	September	67
2020	October	37
2020	November	11
2020	December	9
2021	January	0
2021	February	18
2021	March	14
2021	April	26
2021	May	21
2021	June	22
2021	July	25
2021	August	39
2021	September	37
2021	October	34
2021	November	19
2021	December	31
2022	January	35
2022	February	38
2022	March	23
2022	April	22
2022	May	46
2022	June	50
2022	July	57
2022	August	61
2022	September	49
2022	October	33
2022	November	28
2022	December	24

Inflow to unemployment from the inactive labour force (previous three months' balance)
Year	Month	Inflow ot unemployment from the inactive labour force (x 1 000)
2020	January	21
2020	February	18
2020	March	33
2020	April	32
2020	May	24
2020	June	42
2020	July	91
2020	August	112
2020	September	67
2020	October	37
2020	November	11
2020	December	9
2021	January	0
2021	February	18
2021	March	14
2021	April	26
2021	May	21
2021	June	22
2021	July	25
2021	August	39
2021	September	37
2021	October	34
2021	November	19
2021	December	31
2022	January	35
2022	February	38
2022	March	23
2022	April	22
2022	May	46
2022	June	50
2022	July	57
2022	August	61
2022	September	49
2022	October	33
2022	November	28
2022	December	24

Every month, CBS publishes figures on the Dutch labour force in accordance with international guidelines. The corresponding indicators, i.e. the employed and unemployed labour force, are used around the world to describe cyclical developments on the labour market. Monthly figures are essential in this respect. In addition, UWV issues its own monthly figures on unemployment benefits. Figures released by UWV do not correspond one-to-one with the labour force indicators.

Sources

StatLine - Monthly labour participation and unemployment