According to Statistics Netherlands, the number of long-term unemployed (for 12 months or more) has increased from 91.000 in 2009 to 139.000 in 2011.

Worryingly, this most entrenched form of joblessness now forms a third of all unemployment. Many of those are aged between 25 and 45, and are less educated.

Although the unemployment rate among young people was relatively high (9,8 percent in 2011), the period of unemployment is usually shorter. Young people tend to be more fluid and flexible in the labour market than the older generation, and tend to be hired quicker. Last year, just 14 percent of jobless 15 to 25-year-olds were in the category long-term unemployed.

Long-term unemployment also increased considerably among the less educated. The number of less educated people who were unemployed for twelve months or more rose from 27 percent in 2009, to 39 percent in 2011.

Total unemployment levels also increased, from 120.000 in 2008 to 420.000 in 2011 (though unemployment rate remained stable in 2011). The Netherlands is officially in a recession, with a moderate economic recovery until 2015.