Netherlands youth unemployment plummets to lowest level since 2009

Unemployment in the Netherlands dropped by an average of 6 thousand people per month over the past three months, according to Statistics Netherlands. Youth unemployment in particular plummeted, dropping from 9.7 percent in February to 9 percent in May - the lowest level since March 2009.

In May the Netherlands counted 456 thousand unemployed people, or 5.1 percent of the work force. The number of paid workers increased with an average of 14 thousand per month over the past three months. The number of young people (under 25) with a paid job reached almost 1.3 million in May and is thereby back at pre-economic crisis levels.

Minister Lodewijk Asscher of Social Affairs and Employment is pleased with the figures. "Fantastic that there are so many working young people now. Already more than before the crisis", he said to ANP. "We now even have the lowest youth unemployment in over eight years. That is something to be proud of. And also beautiful to see that so many young people can realize their dreams. But we are not done yet."

At the end of May benefits agency UWV paid a total of 386 thousand unemployment benefits, 16 thousand less than in April - a decrease of 3.9 percent. Here too the number of youth benefits plummeted - minus 10.2 percent.