Youth unemployment has dropped below 10% for the first time since 2011, according to new figures from the UWV benefits agency.

National statistics office the CBS reports on Thursday that unemployment dropped by an average of 8,000 people a month in the most recent three months of figures.

In January, 480,000 people were unemployed in the Netherlands, 5.3% of the population. A total of 419,000 were claiming unemployment benefits.

Meanwhile, people in paid employment increased by an average of 16,000 a month in the same quarter. There was, however, an increase in unemployment in people working in seasonal sectors such as construction, agriculture and temp agencies, particularly men and under-35s. January also saw a spike in new unemployment claims from former banking staff.