Unemployment rising

Unemployment in the Netherlands was 166 thousand on average in the period June-August this year. The number rose by an average six thousand people a month in the first half of this year. Statistics Netherlands’ figures further show that the gap in unemployment between men and women has become smaller.

Unemployment rising
An average 166 thousand people were unemployed in the period June-
August. Seasonal effects usually push down unemployment in this period. Once these effects have been removed the figure comes to 175 thousand.

Unemployment figures are based on a sample survey and as there is a certain margin of error, the trend can best be viewed over a longer period. Compared with six moths ago the figure is 38 thousand higher, the equivalent of an increase of roughly six thousand people a month. So unemployment has shown an upward trend risen in the first half of the year.

Narrowing gap between men and women
Unemployment rose more strongly for men than for women. Compared with the same period one year ago, 23 thousand more men and 8 thousand more women are unemployed. However, as the female labour force is smaller the percentage of female unemployment is still higher than that for men: 2.6 and 2.1 percent respectively. But the gap is closing: one year ago these percentages were 1.6 for men and 2.3 for women.

(source: Statistics Netherlands)

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