The Dutch unemployment total rose by 2,000 in January, compared with December, but the the official rate remains at 645,000 or 7.2%.

Unemployment fell from March to September last year and has risen an average of 4,000 a month since then.

The number of people looking for a job has risen over the past four months and this has resulted in a rise in the unemployment rate, the CBS said.

This is due to more young people joining the labour market and the fact more people are working as they approach pension age.