Employment slightly up; youth unemployment falls

The number of people in employment in February-April increased by an average of two thousand a month, according to Statistics Netherlands (CBS). Growth in employment was most noticeable among the youth and those aged 45 and above. The number of unemployed fell by an average of seven thousand a month. The unemployment rate was seven percent as opposed to 7.2 percent three months earlier. In the past 12 months, the unemployment rate fell most noticeably for those aged between 15 and 25, from 13.2 to 10.9 percent. The unemployment rate among those aged over 45 was practically unchanged. The labor force decreased by an average of five thousand per month. The size of the labor force has been shrinking since the start of the year. Fewer people are entering the labor market now than last year. Both the number of employed young people and people over 45 rose. During February-April the number of 15- to 25-year-olds in employment was rising by an average of seven thousand per month. 61.4 percent of young people had work as opposed to 60.4 percent three months ago. The increase affected both small jobs and jobs of more than 12 hours per week. The number of people receiving unemployment benefits dropped. Last month, the figure was at 427,000, 16 thousand less than in March. The number of benefits recipients fell most sharply in northern provinces of Friesland, Groningen and Drenthe.