The share of unemployment (WW) and income support benefit recipients has grown during the past half decade. The number of WW recipients has risen by 77 percent. The increase was relatively large in the Randstad region. With an increase of 20 percent over the period 2008–2012, the number of income support benefits rose less rapidly. Unlike WW benefits, the increase in income support benefits predominantly occurred outside the Randstad region.
Share WW benefits almost doubled in Randstad region
By the end of June last year, 277 thousand persons received unemployment benefits, i.e. 25 in every 1,000 people in the Netherlands in the age category 15–65, versus 14 in every 1,000 in 2008, an increase by 77 percent. The rise was mainly recorded in the Randstad where a relatively large number of people lost their jobs. In the period 2008–2011, for example, 57 percent of bankruptcies concerned businesses in the Randstad region, although fewer than half of all businesses are located in that region. In the period between June 2008 and June 2012, the share of persons receiving WW benefits grew by 90 percent in the Randstad.
With 69 percent, the increase was less dramatic outside the Randstad area. Throughout the years, the proportion of unemployed has always been somewhat higher outside the Randstad. By the end of June last year, 26 in every 1,000 persons outside the Randstad area received unemployment benefits, against more than 23 in every 1,000 Randstad residents.
Income support dependency rate grows less rapidly than WW benefits
By the end of June 2012, there were 373 thousand income support recipients, i.e. 34 in every 1,000 persons in the Netherlands in the
15–65 age bracket. This is an increase by 19 percent relative to June 2008. The increase was 15 percent in the Randstad and 23 percent outside the Randstad, but the share of people on income support is structurally higher in the Randstad, mainly because the number of people on income support is relatively high among residents of the four major Dutch cities.
Number of disability benefits further in decline
By the end of June last year, 782 thousand persons received benefits, because they were unfit for work, i.e. 71 in every 1,000 people in the age category 15–65. The proportion of disability benefit claimants has declined marginally for years. The ratio for 2008 was 72 per 1,000 residents.
Source CBS