On average, 328 thousand persons ((4.3 percent of the total labour force) were unemployed in the period July-September 2007, as against 5.4 percent one year ago. According to the most recent figures published by Statistics Netherlands, seasonally adjusted unemployment declined by an average of 7 thousand a month over the past six months.
Unemployment declines by 7 thousand a month
Adjusted for seasonal effects, unemployment over the period July-September 2007 was 333 thousand, i.e. 14 thousand below the level of the previous three-monthly period. The unemployment figures are based on a sample survey and more reliable figures can be obtained by monitoring unemployment over a longer period of time. In the past six months, unemployment dropped by an average 7 thousand a month.
Decrease across all age groups
If seasonal effects are not taken into account, unemployment over the period July-September is one fifth lower. Unemployment declined across all age groups, but proportionally the decline was more substantial in the 25-44 age bracket than among young people and over-45s. Over the past year, unemployment in the 25-44 age group fell by 39 thousand to 133 thousand, bringing the unemployment rate down to 3.4 percent.
In the period July-September this year, 84 thousand young people were jobless, 16 thousand fewer than one year previously. The youth unemployment rate dropped to 8.9 percent.
Unemployment among over-45s decreased by 23 thousand to 112 thousand. In the period July-September, 3.9 percent of the labour force over the age of 45 were unemployed.
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