Fewer unemployed

In the period November 2007-January 2008, an average of 308 thousand people were unemployed, corresponding to 4.0 percent of the labour force, as against 5.0 percent in the same period one year previously. Seasonally adjusted unemployment fell by an average of about 7 thousand a month over the past six months, as the latest unemployment figures released by Statistics Netherlands show.

Steady decline over the past six months

Seasonally adjusted unemployment over the period November 2007-January 2008 was 313 thousand, i.e. 1 thousand down on the previous three-monthly period. As unemployment figures are based on a sample survey, more reliable figures can be achieved by monitoring over a longer period. In the past six months, unemployment was reduced by an average of about 7 thousand a month.

Decrease in female unemployment more substantial

In the period November 2007-January 2008, the number of unemployed was 66 thousand down on one year previously. Male and female unemployment were reduced by 26 and 40 thousand, respectively.

Male unemployment has declined since early 2005. The decline among women began approximately one year later and until recently, the annual reduction was less substantial than among men. Since several months, however, the reduction of unemployment among women exceeds that of men.

Still, more women than men are unemployed. In both gender groups, the lowest unemployment rate was recorded among 25 to 44-year-olds. The unemployment rate among men in this age category was 1.9 percent as opposed to 4.6 percent among women. The unemployment rate among men has not been this low in more than six years.

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