Unemployment considerably down

According to the most recent figures published by Statistics Netherlands, seasonally adjusted unemployment averaged 380 thousand in the period November 2006–January 2007, a reduction by 12 thousand relative to the period October-December 2006.

In the periode November 2006–January 2007, the labour force unemployment rate was 5.0 percent, as against 6.1 percent one year previously.

Reduction rate remains high

Seasonally adjusted unemployment in the period August–October 2006 was 412 thousand. In the period November 2006–January 2007, unemployment was reduced to 380 thousand, a sizeable reduction by an average 11 thousand a month following a summer period in which unemployment remained fairly stable.

Obvious reduction among over-45s   

Youth unemployment was 18 thousand lower in the period November 2006–January 2007 than one year previously. With 39 thousand, the decline among 25 to 44-year-olds was more substantial. In these age categories, unemployment has declined for some time now, but the obvious decline among over-45s became manifest only a few months ago. In the period November 2006–January 2007, the number of unemployed persons over the age of 45 averaged 127 thousand, a reduction by 19 thousand compared to one year ago. The over-45 unemployment rate fell from 5.5 to 4.6 percent.

Fewer over-45 males unemployed   

All unemployed over-45s who managed to re-enter the labour market were men. In this age group, unemployment was reduced by 19 thousand to 60 thousand. The unemployment rate was 3.6 percent. Female unemployment remained unchanged at 67 thousand, relative to one year ago. Nevertheless, the unemployment rate dropped from 6.4 to 6.0 percent, because more women in the 45-64 age bracket managed to find a job.

Due to ageing of the population and a higher labour participation rate, the proportion of over-45s in the employed labour force has grown from 31 percent in 2001 to 36 percent in 2006.

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