Hike in unemployment benefits despite economic growth

Despite tentative economic growth at the end of 2014, the number applicants of unemployment benefits was higher last year than in 2013, reports DFT. UWV, the Dutch unemployment authority, published this data on Wednesday in its annual report. At the end of 2014, the UWV serviced 440,800 unemployment benefits, reflecting a 1 percent increase from the end of 2013. “In late 2008, the figure was 161,000,” Bruins, the UWV chairman is quoted saying. “We still have a long way to go before we are at that level.” There are some positive trends, however. The number of individuals who could terminate their unemployment benefits because they found work rose to 253,000 last year. One in five were over age 50. This group accounts for almost half of people receiving the unemployment benefits. Estimated projections for 2015 are showing a gradual decline, according to the Central Planning Bureau (CPB).