The Dutch benefits agency UWV dealt with 613,200 new unemployment claims last year, a 22% rise on 2012.

In total, the UWV paid out over €21bn in benefits over the year to 1.4 million people. Of them, 950,000 people were claiming some form of invalidity benefit, website nu.nl reports.

The rise in unemployment benefit claims came largely from people in the care services, retail, transport and logistics and light engineering sectors, the UWV said in its annual report.

The Dutch unemployment rate is currently around 8.8%.