Unemployment down as fewer people lose their jobs

In the second quarter of this year, 78 thousand people were added to the unemployment ranks in comparison to the previous quarter. The amount is smaller than in the second quarter of 2009, when the number of unemployed grew by 89 thousand. The number of people who lost their jobs in the second quarter of 2010 is still high compared to earlier years.

Unemployed who were still employed in the previous quarter

Limited loss of permanent jobs

People with permanent employment contracts  have less often become unemployed. In the second quarter of this year, 44 thousand people who had permanent jobs of twelve hours a week or more three months ago had lost their jobs, versus 54 thousand one year ago. In the categories flex workers and self-employed, the number of people who lost their jobs remained stable. 

Unemployed who were still employed in the previous quarter by type of contract

Fewer unemployed in sectors manufacturing industry and business services

Job losses are not equally spread across all sectors. In the second quarter of this year, 14 thousand people employed in the sector business services and 8 thousand people working in manufacturing industry became unemployed, as against 19 thousand and 13 thousand respectively in the second quarter of 2009. The number of unemployed in the sector trade remained unchanged, while unemployment increased in the sector health care and welfare and the sector cultural and other services.

Unemployed who were still employed in the previous quarter by sector

Harry Bierings and Robert de Vries