Unemployment further down
Dutch unemployment continues to decline. In the period March-May 2007, the seasonally adjusted unemployment figure stood at 347 thousand, a reduction by 7 thousand relative to the period February-April.
In March-May this year, unemployment was 77 thousand down on the same period one year previously. Unemployment declined across all age groups, but was most substantial among 25-44 year-olds. In this age group unemployment was reduced by 61 thousand in the course of one year.
For the first time in four years, the unemployment rate dropped below 5 percent. In the period March-May, 4.7 percent of the total labour force were unemployed, a reduction by 1.1 percent on the March-May 2006.
In relative terms, the highest unemployment rate is still recorded among young woman. Over 10 percent of the 15-24 year-old female labour force are unemployed. With 2.8 percent, the unemployment rate is comparatively low in the 25-44 year-old male labour force.
