Unemployment further down

In the period September-November 2007, the seasonally adjusted unemployment figure stood at 320 thousand, i.e. 4 thousand down on the period August–October. Over the last six months, the number of unemployed fell by an average of 5 thousand a month. 

Unemployment was 84 thousand below the level of the same period one year previously. For over two years now, unemployment has declined every three-monthly period relative to the same period in the preceding year.

The most substantial decrease occurred among 25 to 44-year-olds. Unemployment also declined among young people and over-45s. Unemployment among the over-45s has been decreasing since the second half of 2006. For the youngest age group and the 25-44 year-olds, this downturn started earlier. More men than women managed to find jobs.

In the period September–November, 4.0 percent of the total Dutch labour force were unemployed, as against 5.2 percent in the same period last year. The unemployment rate for women was obviously higher than for men: 5.1 percent and 3.2 percent respectively.

Unemployment, seasonally adjusted

Unemployment, seasonally adjusted