Bulletin
ECB chief Draghi: Greek negotiations in a 'state of flux'
Dutch PM: Unemployment is main economic concern
By Matthias Verbergt
Published: June 3, 2015 9:31 a.m. ET
PARIS-Unemployment is the primary concern for the Dutch economy as the outlook for growth improves, Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte said Wednesday.
According to estimates from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development released Wednesday, the Dutch economy is expected to grow 2% this year. Previously, Dutch officials and the OECD had forecast just under 2% growth.
Mr. Rutte welcomed the improvement in the outlook, but said the recovery is still in the early stages.
"I still have several worries about the Dutch economy. Our main concern is unemployment," Mr. Rutte said.
Mr. Rutte's concerns about unemployment are surprising as the Netherlands' job market is in better shape than in the wider eurozone. According to OECD data, unemployment in the Netherlands is currently at 6.9%, markedly below the eurozone average of 11.2%.
The Dutch leader said that while the economy will create 90,000 jobs this year, that will not be sufficient to lift people out of long-term unemployment. Many of the new jobs will be taken up by people working longer as the Netherlands gradually raises its retirement age, he said.
Waar komt die werkloosheid ook alweer door ?