Sustained job losses

In the fourth quarter of 2012, the number of jobs of employees declined by 93 thousand (1.2 percent) relative to the fourth quarter of 2011. In the first three quarters of 2012, the number of jobs was also down on a one year previously. The number of lost jobs has grown in the course of the year.

Growth rate of jobs and economic growth

Growth rate of jobs and economic growth

With a reduction of 21 thousand jobs, the sector business services was hit hardest. In the construction sector, 19 thousand jobs were lost. Employment was also considerably down in the sectors public administration, manufacturing industry, financial services and education. There was no sector in which employment improved.

Altogether, there were over 7.8 million employee jobs in the Netherlands. These include full-time as well as part-time jobs. Converted to full-time equivalents, there were nearly 5.9 million jobs in the fourth quarter, a decline by 1.3 percent from the fourth quarter of 2011.

If seasonal effects are taken into account, the number of jobs in the fourth quarter of 2012 was  18 thousand down from the third quarter.

Jobs of employees, seasonally adjusted

Jobs of employees, seasonally adjusted

More figures can be found in dossier Business cycle.

For more information on economic indicators, the reader is referred to the Economic Monitor.