Unemployment figures for the first quarter

According to the latest figures by Statistics Netherlands, the number of registered unemployed averaged 161 thousand during the first quarter. This is 15 thousand less than in the same period last year.

Registered unemployment in the first quarter
In the months January – March 2002 the number of registered unemployed averaged 161 thousand. During this time of the year seasonal influences always cause unemployment to be higher than during the rest of the year. The seasonally corrected unemployment figure comes down to 145 thousand, up 8 thousand on December – February and 11 thousand on the fourth quarter of last year.

However, this does not imply that unemployment is currently rising.
The figures are based on a sample survey, which means there is a substantial margin of error. Therefore the trend in unemployment should be observed over a fairly long period of time.

The unemployment figures have shown little fluctuation since the spring of 2001. The seasonally corrected figure on the registered unemployed has stayed between 135 and 150 thousand. There are minor changes, all well within the margin of error for sample survey results. This is also true for the difference between the fourth quarter of last year and the first quarter of this year. onclusions about the trend in unemployment can only be drawn after
the figures of the next few months are in.

Less unemployment than a year ago
Compared to the same period last year there are 15 thousand fewer people unemployed. The main drop is found in the number of people who have been registered as unemployed for more than a year.

For more information please visit www.cbs.nl.

(source: Statistics Netherlands)

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