The number of people claiming welfare benefits (bijstandsuitkeringen) rose by 16,000 to 450,000 last year, the national statistics office CBS said on Monday.

In particular, there was a rise in the number of youngsters and over-45s claiming the basic payment, the CBS said.

People are transferred to welfare benefits once they have used up their entitlement to unemployment pay (ww). That can currently be claimed for a maximum of 38 months but is being gradually reduced to two years.

The rise in claims among the under-27s is largely due to changes in the incapacity benefit system for young people which is now only open to people who are unable to work at all, the CBS said. In 2014, there were 16,800 new claims for the wajong incapacity benefits, but last year the number was just 3,600.

Nearly half of claimants (49%) have been on welfare for longer than three years and 17% have received the benefit for nine years or more.

Welfare benefits for a single person amount to 70% of the minimum wage, which is currently €1,524 for an adult. Claimants are also entitled to housing benefit and help with paying their health insurance.