The Dutch unemployment rate fell marginally in the first three months of this year and the number of available jobs increased, according to new figures from national statistics agency CBS.

There are now 122 jobs available for every 100 people officially classified as unemployed, the CBS said. The official jobless rate remains 3.6%.

By the end of March, there were 437,000 vacancies open in the Netherlands, in line with the end of 2022. Most were in trade, including retail, followed by business services and healthcare. Together the three sectors account for around half the vacancies.

However, the increase in vacancies, 3,000 over the three months, was highest in the healthcare sector, the CBS said.