The number of people claiming basic welfare benefits (bijstand) rose by 22,000 in 2009, with young men accounting for much of the increase, the national statistics office CBS said.

The increase in claims from men under the age of 35 was 38%, compared with just 11% for women in the same age group.
‘Young people in particular have a short working history and are only entitled to unemployment benefit for a few months,’ the CBS said.
By the end of 2009, there were 281,000 people claiming welfare benefits, 170,000 of whom are single.