Long-term unemployed

A person is included in the category long-term unemployed, if they have been unemployed for a period of 12 months or more. The unemployed labour force comprises all unemployed 15 to 64-year-old Dutch residents and those working less than 12 hours a week who are prepared to work 12 hours or more a week, are actively looking for jobs and instantly available for the labour market.

The figures presented are based on the Labour Force Survey (EBB). The EBB is a sample survey conducted monthly among people aged 15 years or older, living in the Netherlands. The institutional population (people living in homes and institutions) is excluded from the survey. Annually, a sample is taken from about 1 percent of the Dutch population.

The figures result from a first study attempting to define long-term unemployment. This study is part of a longer running unemployment survey in the Netherlands. The figures presented are provisional and may be subject to adjustment at a later stage.