Employment further down

The number of jobs of employees was 99 thousand (1.3 percent) lower in the first quarter of 2013 than in the same period one year previously. The number of jobs was lower than one year previously for the fifth consecutive quarter. The number of jobs lost is growing each quarter.

The number of jobs declined across the board. With a reduction of 26 thousand jobs, the construction sector was hit hardest; 12 thousand jobs were lost in the public administration and government services. Employment was also considerably down in the sectors manufacturing industry and education.

Growth rate of jobs and economic growth

Growth rate of jobs and economic growth

Altogether, there were over 7.7 million full-time plus part-time employee jobs in the Netherlands. The number of labour years (the number of jobs converted to full-time equivalents) was 5.8 million, i.e.1.5 percent down from the first quarter of 2012. Labour volume fell for the fifth quarter in a row.

If seasonal effects are taken into account, the number of jobs in the first quarter of 2013 was 34 thousand down from the fourth quarter of 2012.

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.