Dutch Jobless Rate Holds at 4%, Highest Since 2021

The Netherland’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate held steady at 4% in January 2026, unchanged from the previous four months and still marked the highest reading since September 2021. The number of unemployed people rose by 5 thousand from the previous month to 415 thousand, while an additional 3.2 million people were outside the labor force as they had not recently sought work and/or were not immediately available. This group mainly consists of retirees and individuals unable to work due to illness or disability. During the month, 38.7 thousand new unemployment benefits were granted, bringing the total to 205.7 thousand, while 24.4 thousand were terminated. Meanwhile, employment increased by 0.1 thousand to 9.843 million, and the labor force participation rate edged up to a three-month high of 76.3%. Compared with a year earlier, the jobless rate was 0.2 percentage points higher than the 3.8% posted in January 2025.

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.