Unemployment rate in the Netherlands drops slightly to 3.6 percent in May

The unemployment rate in the Netherlands dropped slightly in May compared to a month earlier. Around 3.6 percent of the population was unemployed in May, Statistics Netherlands reported. The unemployment rate has fluctuated at around 3.6 percent since the summer of 2023. The rate rose slightly in April to 3.7 percent. The number of unemployment benefits did increase slightly in May.

Around 3.6 million people from the age of 15 to 75 did not have a job in May. In addition to the unemployed, this also accounts for 3.2 million people who have not recently looked for work or were not immediately available to do so. They are not counted in the working population. These are mainly people who are retired or cannot work for health reasons.

The unemployment rate dropped the most for young people. It went from 8.7 percent to 8.4 percent for the working-age population aged 15 to 25. This group has a relatively high unemployment rate compared to people older than 25.

Youth unemployment mainly affects people studying and looking for a side job. The unemployment rate dropped slightly in the 25-45 age group from 3.1 to 3.0 percent. The rate stayed the same for people 45 and older at 2.1 percent.

UWV, the benefits agency, provided 170,800 unemployment benefits at the end of May, 500 more than in April. Unemployment benefits rose the most in the government, food and beverage, and cleaning sectors.

The number of benefits dropped in the agriculture, construction, and temporary employment sectors. These sectors usually have more jobs available in spring.