Dutch Jobless Rate Falls to 11-Month Low

The Netherlands’ seasonally adjusted unemployment rate held at 4.0% in August 2026, unchanged from July and remaining at its highest level in four months. The number of unemployed people increased by 4 thousand from a month ago to 408 thousand, while the number of employed people rose by 6 thousand to 9.827 million. Over the past three months, unemployment increased by an average of 3 thousand per month, while employment decreased by an average of 1 thousand per month. Meanwhile, 3.2 million people were outside the labor force, mainly consisting of retirees and individuals unable to work due to illness or disability. The gross labor force participation rate edged up to 76.1% from 76.0%, while the net participation rate rose to 73.1% from 73.0%. At the end of August, the number of ongoing unemployment benefits stood at 195 thousand.

The Netherlands’ seasonally adjusted unemployment rate rose to 4.0% in July 2026 from 3.8% in June, marking the highest level in four months. The number of unemployed people increased by 11 thousand from a month ago to 404 thousand, while 3.2 million people were outside the labor force, mainly consisting of retirees and individuals unable to work due to illness or disability. Unemployment increased primarily among men, rising from 3.8% to 4.0%, while the rate among women fell from 4.0% to 3.9%. Over the past three months, unemployment increased by an average of 2 thousand per month as the inflow into unemployment exceeded the outflow. At the end of July, the number of ongoing unemployment benefits stood at 200 thousand. Meanwhile, employment decreased by 10 thousand to 9.821 million, while the labor force remained unchanged at 10.225 million. The gross labor force participation rate held at 76.0%, while the net participation rate edged down to 73.0% from 73.1%.

The Netherland’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate fell to 3.8% in June 2026 from 3.9% in the previous month, marking the lowest level since July 2025. The number of unemployed people declined by 6 thousand from a month ago to 393 thousand, while 3.2 million people were outside the labor force, which mainly consists of retirees and individuals unable to work due to illness or disability. At the end of June, the number of unemployment benefits stood at 196.9 thousand, down 1.2% from the previous month, as 20.6 thousand new claims were added, while 23.1 thousand were terminated. Meanwhile, employment increased by 2 thousand to 9.831 million, while the labor force decreased by 3 thousand to 10.225 million, primarily because more people left the labor market while fewer non-workers found jobs. The gross labor force participation rate edged down to 76% from 76.1%, while the net participation rate stood at 73.1%. In June 2025, the jobless rate held at 3.8%.