Unemployment slightly higher

In the period November 2008-January 2009, seasonally adjusted unemployment in the Netherlands stood at 304 thousand. This is 3 thousand more than in the preceding three-monthly period.

Among young people and 25 to 44-year-olds, unemployment was slightly higher than one year previously, but still 10 thousand down on the period November 2007- January 2008. The decrease was caused by a substantial drop in unemployment among 45 to 64-year-olds.

An average of  3.9 percent of the total Dutch labour force were unemployed in the period November 2008-January 2009. This percentage is in the same order of magnitude as one year previously.The highest unemployment rate was recorded among young people. In the 15 to 24-year age group, 8.4 percent were looking for jobs. The corresponding figures for the age categories 25-44 and 45-64 were 3.2 and 3.4 respectively.

After years of decline, unemployment is again rising marginally. Consumers anticipate a further increase. In February 2009, an astonishing nine out of every ten consumers expect unemployment to rise in the next 12 months, according to the Consumer Confidence Survey.

Seasonally adjusted unemployment