2011.08.1804:52:00UTC+00Dutch Jobless Rate Rises, Consumer Confidence Weakens Sharply

Unemployment in the Netherlands increased in July, after falling in the previous month, data released by the Central Bureau of Statistics showed Thursday.

The jobless rate increased to a seasonally adjusted 5.3 percent in July from 5 percent in May. In July 2010, the unemployment rate was 5.5 percent. The latest figure was the highest since September 2010, when the rate was 5.3 percent.

The number of jobless persons rose 413,000 in July from 392,000 in June. In July 2010, the number of unemployed was 426,000.

Separately, the agency said the consumer confidence index in the Netherlands declined by 9 points to minus 21 in August. Economists had expected a reading of minus 15.

The measure of households' confidence in the economic climate dropped by 22 points to minus 38 during the month. At the same time, consumers willingness to make new purchased weakened markedly in August, with the corresponding index falling to minus 10.