Dutch Jobless Rate Holds at 4%, Highest Since 2021

The Netherlands’ seasonally adjusted unemployment rate remained steady at 4% in December 2025, unchanged from the previous three months. Still, this marked the highest reading since September 2021, as the number of unemployed individuals increased by 2 thousand from the previous month to 410 thousand. Unemployment among 15- to 25-year-olds rose mainly in the second half of the year, with the rate climbing to 9.1% for young women, up from 8.7% in June 2025. The jobless rate also increased notably among men aged 25 to 45 and those aged 45 to 75. Meanwhile, employment declined by 4 thousand to 9.842 million, and the labor force participation stood at 76.2%. Compared with a year earlier, the jobless rate was 0.3 percentage points higher than the 3.7% posted in December 2024.

The Netherlands’ seasonally adjusted unemployment rate stood at 4% in November 2025, unchanged from the previous two months and still the highest reading since September 2021. The number of unemployed individuals declined by 3 thousand to 408 thousand, down from October’s over four-year high of 411 thousand. Meanwhile, employment fell by 9 thousand to 9.846 million, and the labor force participation rate edged down to a four-month low of 76.2% from 76.4% in the previous month. During the month, 22.9 thousand new unemployment benefits were granted, bringing the total to 194.1 thousand, while 24.1 thousand were terminated. Compared with a year earlier, the jobless rate was 0.3 percentage points higher than the 3.7% posted in November 2024.

Netherland’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate stood at 4% in October 2025, unchanged from the previous month and still the highest reading since September 2021. The number of unemployed individuals increased by 2 thousand from the previous month to a more than four-year high of 411 thousand. Meanwhile, employment grew by 12 thousand to 9.855 million, and the labor force participation rate remained steady at 76.4%. During the month, 30.6 thousand new unemployment benefits were granted, bringing the total to 195.4 thousand, while 22.7 thousand were terminated. Compared with a year earlier, the jobless rate was 0.3 percentage points higher than the 2.7% posted in October 2024.