The unemployment rate in the Netherlands has declined to 5.8% (521,000) in August compared to 6.0% in July according to the CBS (Statistics Netherlands).

According to CBS, it is because fewer workers are losing their jobs and the rate of which the unemployed are finding a job remains high.

Less unemployment benefits were also sought in August 2016 in comparison to the previous year.  Most sectors showed a decrease in the number of new unemployment benefits, especially from the construction sector (-28.9%), printing industry (-25.4%) and health and welfare (-24.6%).