Dutch Jobless Rate Falls to 8-Month Low

The Netherlands’ seasonally adjusted unemployment rate ticked down to 3.9% in April 2026, the lowest level in eight months, from 4.0% in the previous month. The number of unemployed people fell by 10 thousand to 397 thousand. In addition, there were 3.2 million people who had not recently looked for work and/or were not immediately available for it, primarily those who are retired or unable to work due to illness or disability. At the end of April, the number of unemployment benefit recipients stood at 203.1 thousand, 0.5% higher than in the previous month. In April 2025, the jobless rate was slightly lower at 3.8%.

The Netherlands’ seasonally adjusted unemployment rate edged down to 4.0% in March 2026 from 4.1% in the previous month. The number of unemployed people decreased by 9 thousand from the previous month to 407 thousand, while 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. At the end of March, the number of unemployment benefits stood at 202,100, down 1.6% from the previous month, as 21,700 new claims were added while 25,000 were terminated. Meanwhile, employment rose by 1 thousand to 9.85 million, however, the labor force declined to 10.257 million from 10.265 million in the previous month, and the gross labor force participation rate fell to 76.2% from 76.3%, with the net participation rate unchanged at 73.2%. In March 2025, the jobless rate stood at 3.9%.

The Netherlands’ seasonally adjusted unemployment rate edged up to 4.1% in February 2026 from 4.0% in January, marking the highest reading since September 2021. The number of unemployed people increased by 1 thousand to 416 thousand, while employment rose by 6 thousand to 9.849 million. The labor force also expanded slightly to 10.265 million from 10.258 million in the previous month. Meanwhile, the gross labor force participation rate held steady at 76.3%, with the net participation rate unchanged at 73.2%. The number of ongoing unemployment benefits stood at around 205.5 thousand at the end of February, slightly lower than in the previous month, as 22.2 thousand new claims were offset by 22.4 thousand terminations. Outside the labor force, around 3.2 million people were not actively seeking or available for work. In February 2025, the jobless rate stood at 3.8%.