The number of people in the Netherlands claiming welfare benefits (bijstand) reached 400,000 by the end of June as 21,000 people joined the ranks of the long-term unemployed.

In 2012 as a whole there were 12,000 new claims. Welfare benefits are paid to people with few assets and kick in after people have used up their entitlement to unemployment benefit (ww).

Some 39,000 of welfare benefit claimants are under the age of 27, the CBS said.