Unemployment further up
- Unemployment rate up to 8.5 percent in June
- Increase by more than 100 thousand in six months
- More WW benefits granted
According to the latest figures published by Statistics Netherlands, seasonally adjusted unemployment grew by 16 thousand in June 2013 to reach 675 thousand.
Figures released by the Institute for Implementation of Employees’ Insurances (UWV) show that the number of unemployment (WW) benefits has grown by 4 thousand to 382 thousand in June.
Unemployment up by more than 100 thousand over the past six months
The unemployment rate reached 8.5 percent in June, i e. an increase by more than 100 thousand relative to six months ago. The monthly increase over the past three months averaged 11 thousand.
Unemployed has risen notably among over-45s during the past three months: by an average of 7 thousand a month. The unemployment growth among over-45s is partly due to the higher labour market participation rate of men and women in this age category. This becomes manifest in more employed and in particular more unemployed over-45s. The average monthly unemployment growth among young people and 25 to 45-year-olds was 2 thousand.
Unemployment in the Netherlands, according to the ILO (International Labour Organisation) definition was 6.8 percent of the labour force, versus 6.6 percent in May.
More WW benefits granted to over-45s
The number of WW benefits granted in June this year totalled 382 thousand, 1 percent more than in May. The number of WW benefits has risen by 12 percent over the past six months.
The number of WW benefits granted to over-45s increased by nearly 2 percent compared to one month previously. Relative to six months ago, this age category also registered the highest increase (more than 13 percent). Since March, unemployment has fallen marginally among young people under the age of 25. In June, the number of current unemployment benefits to young people declined by 3 percent.
The number of current WW benefits has increased notably in the sectors health care/welfare and trade.
In June, 43 thousand new benefits were granted and 39 thousand were terminated, nearly half as a result of work resumption.