Unemployment in the Netherlands did not fall in June, but it did not rise either. 3.5 percent of the working population had no paid job, according to figures from the Central Bureau of Statistics.
In May, the unemployment rate was just as high. In both months, 353,000 people were available for paid work, but did not have a job. That was a slight increase compared to April.
The unemployment rate is just above the lowest point ever recorded. The labor market is therefore still very tight. Employers often do a lot to keep their staff, because they are afraid that it will be difficult for them to find replacements, employers’ association AWVN recently announced.
While the labor market is tightening, the proportion of the total population aged between 15 and 75 that is in work is gradually growing. Last month they had a share of 73.1 percent, compared to 72.2 percent in June last year.