The Netherlands – Unemployment is not rising as rapidly as expected, according to the latest figures released by Statistics Netherlands, the Dutch statistics office.

In the first quarter of 2009, the overall unemployment level shows no rise as compared to the same period last year, at 4.4 percent. Unemployment however has risen among men and fallen among women.

The increase in number of unemployed men is attributed to the sectors they work in. Most men work in sectors such as construction and industry that has been hit by the economic crisis.

However, unemployment among young people aged 10 to 25 years old is on the increase. In the first quarter of 2008, unemployment went up more than 1 percent but was still well below the level of the winter of 2004-2005, when youth unemployment went up to 14 percent.

A report presented by former chairman of the Youth Unemployment Taskforce Hans de Boer warned that unemployment among young people could almost double by the autumn.

To limit the rise, he recommends better coordination to match young people to job vacancies, and measures to encourage school students to continue their studies.

The latest statistics show that although there is no change in the total number of unemployed people out of work,

The figures also show unemployment rate among people in older age groups has fallen compared to last year as they often have a permanent contract and are less likely to be made redundant.  

Among people from non-Western ethnic minorities, unemployment is also marginally down on last year. However, the downward trend in the jobless rate for this group is slowing.

Although the crisis has only affected jobs in certain industries, Statistics Netherlands is not over-optimistic as unemployment is expected to rise considerably in the coming months.

Radio Netherlands / Expatica