Unemployment further up
- Rapid growth unemployment in third quarter 2011
- Increase among both genders
- Number of job seekers registered at UWV stable
- Fewer WW benefits in September
According to the most recent figures released by Statistics Netherlands, seasonally adjusted unemployment increased by 17 thousand in September 2011 to 438 thousand, i.e. 5.6 percent of the labour force.
Figures published by the Institute for Implementation of Employees’ Insurances (UWV) indicate that the number of job seekers remained fairly stable in September 2011 relative to the preceding month and that fewer unemployment (WW) benefits were granted.
More unemployed
Unemployment increased for the third month in a row in September. The average monthly unemployment growth in the third quarter of this year was approximately 15 thousand. Over the first six months of this year, unemployment remained stable.
Male and female unemployment up
Unemployment growth was about the same for both genders in September. This also applies to July and August, whereas over the first six months of 2011, female unemployment had declined.
More young job seekers
The number of job seekers filed in the UWV database was 455 thousand in September, roughly the same amount as in August. The number of job seekers under the age of 25 grew for the second consecutive month, but is still 10 percent below the level of one year previously. The number of job seekers in technical occupations has steadily declined throughout the entire year.
Fewer WW benefits in September
The number of current WW benefits was reduced by 1.7 percent to 252 thousand in September. More than 36 thousand new benefits were granted and nearly 41 thousand benefits were terminated. The number of benefits terminated due to resumption of work increased notably, an annually recurring phenomenon in September.