Unemployment in the Netherlands remained steady in October, with 411,000 people out of work, unchanged from the previous month, the CBS reported. As in September, 4 percent of the labor force was without paid employment — the highest level in four years.
On average, the number of unemployed people increased by 8,000 per month over the past three months. The number of employed people increased by an average of 5,000 per month.
In addition to the unemployed, there were 3.2 million people who had not recently looked for work or were not immediately available for it. These are mainly retirees or people unable to work due to illness or disability. Overall, the number of people outside the labor force decreased by an average of 4,000 per month over the past three months.
The stability of unemployment in October masks shifts in the labor market, CBS reports. While 144,000 unemployed people found jobs, 124,000 workers lost their positions and 135,000 people previously outside the labor force began looking for work. At the same time, 93,000 people left the labor market entirely. These movements reportedly offset each other, leaving the overall unemployment rate unchanged.
The benefits agency UWV counted 195,400 unemployment benefits (WW) at the end of October. That is 8,000 more than a month earlier. In October, 30,600 new WW benefits were granted, while 22,700 ended.
All sectors saw an increase in WW benefits except for temporary employment agencies. The largest increases in absolute numbers occurred in other industry, the government, and in agriculture, landscaping, and fishing.