Dutch unemployment steady at 4% in October, benefit claims rise

The Netherlands has recorded 411 thousand unemployed people in October 2025, unchanged at 4 per cent of the labour force aged 15 to 74, according to Statistics Netherlands (CBS).

Although the unemployment rate remained steady, the number of unemployed rose by an average of 8 thousand per month over the past three months. Over the same period, paid employment continued expanding, with an average increase of 5 thousand workers per month.

More than three million people were outside the labour force in October because they were not seeking employment or were unavailable for work. This group includes retirees and individuals unable to work due to illness or occupational disability. On average, the number of people outside the labour force declined by 4 thousand per month over the last quarter.

The Employee Insurance Agency (UWV) reported 195.4 thousand active unemployment (WW) benefits at the end of October, an increase of 8 thousand compared to September. During the month, 30.6 thousand new benefits were granted, while 22.7 thousand were terminated. Compared with October 2024, the number of recipients climbed by 16.4 thousand, representing a 9.1 per cent increase.

Nearly all sectors reported a rise in benefit recipients, except temporary employment agencies, where claims dropped by 1.4 per cent, CBS said in a release.

Unemployment levels were nearly stable because opposing labour flows balanced each other out. Two factors reduced unemployment in October: 144 thousand unemployed people found a job, and 92 thousand stopped seeking work and left the labour market. In total, 237 thousand people who were unemployed three months earlier secured employment.

ALCHEMPro News Desk (HU)