The Netherlands’ seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 4.0% in September 2026, unchanged for the third consecutive month and remaining at its highest level since March. The number of unemployed people held steady at 408 thousand, while 3.2 million people were outside the labor force, mainly retirees and individuals unable to work due to illness or disability. At the end of September, the number of unemployment benefit recipients reached 197.1 thousand, up 1.2% from the previous month, with 24.6 thousand new claims and 22.2 thousand terminations. Meanwhile, employment increased by 4 thousand to 9.831 million, and the labor force also grew by 4 thousand to 10.239 million. The gross labor force participation rate was 76.1%, while the net participation rate remained at 73.1%. Over the past three months, unemployment has risen by an average of 5 thousand people per month, while total employment has remained flat.