Unemployment further up
- Unemployed labour force 10 thousand up in January
- Number of unemployment benefits grows by 23 thousand
The most recent figures released by Statistics Netherlands show that unemployment increased by 10 thousand in January 2014 to reach 678 thousand, i.e. 8.6 percent in the labour force. The figures are adjusted for seasonal variation.
Figures published by the Institute for Implementation of Employees’ Insurances show that 460 thousand unemployment (WW) benefits were granted in January 2014, an increase by 23 thousand relative to December 2013.
Unemployment fairly stable over the past three months
Unemployment increased by 10 thousand in January. On average, unemployment remained fairly stable over the past three months. Two factors play a part in this respect: more jobs were lost and at the same time many unemployed withdrew from the labour market. As a result, the average unemployment level over the past three months hardly changed.
According to the ILO definition, 7.1 percent in the Dutch labour force were unemployed in January versus 7.0 percent in December 2013.
Substantial increase unemployment benefits granted to young people and in sectors sensitive to seasonal variation
The number of current unemployment benefits rose by 5.2 percent in January 2014 to 460 thousand. The monthly increase was less substantial than in January 2013, when the number of WW benefits rose by 8.6 percent. With 10.2 percent, the number of benefits grew more rapidly among under-25s in January than on average among other age groups. The number of unemployment benefits grew above average in sectors affected by seasonal variation, like agriculture and construction, but also in the sectors public administration and health care and welfare.
In the first month of this year, 79 thousand new WW benefits were granted and 56 thousand were terminated; 27 thousand benefits, i.e. 48 percent of the total number of benefits terminated in January were terminated due to resumption of work.
Compared to one year ago, the total number of current unemployment benefits grew by one quarter. Especially women, over-55s, the sectors health care and welfare and transport and storage and the province of Utrecht reported an increase relative to last year.
Source cbs