Marginal unemployment growth in August

  • Upward trend unemployment has continued for more than a year
  • Youth unemployment noticeably higher than a year ago
  • More than 300 thousand WW benefits 

According to the most recent figures released by Statistics Netherlands, unemployment adjusted for seasonal variation increased further in August 2012 by 4 thousand to reach 514 thousand.

Figures published by the Institute for Implementation of Employees’ Insurances (UWV) show that the number of unemployment (WW) benefits has risen by 6 thousand to 304 thousand.

Upward trend unemployment

Unemployment has risen for more than a year now. In the last three months, the average monthly increase was 8 thousand. In August, 6.5 percent of the labour force were categorised as unemployed versus 5.4 percent a year ago.

Substantial increase unemployed among young people

Unemployment increased dramatically among young people over the past twelve months. The unemployment rate among 15 to 25-year-olds was more than 3 points up from August 2011 to reach nearly 13 percent. Male unemployment also grew relatively fast. The unemployment rate for both genders was 6.5 percent in August. Usually, the unemployment rate among women is higher than among men.

Dramatic increase WW benefits in sector education

In August 2012, the number of new WW benefits was higher than the number of current benefits. As a result, the number of current unemployment benefits increased. In Augustus this year, 304 thousand benefits were paid, a 2 percent increase from July. The most substantial relative growth was recorded among people under the age of 25.

The number of unemployment benefits paid in the sector education has risen considerably in August 2012 relative to July 2012 by 27 percent and by 24percent relative to August 2011. Traditionally, the number of WW benefits in the sector education shows a peak in summer, but the peak has become more prominent in recent years. In the sectors construction, health care and welfare and hotels and restaurants, the number of WW benefits has grown significantly in August compared to last year.

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