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The Netherlands and the United Kingdom: a European unemployment miracle?

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  • Steve Nickell
  • Jan van Ours

Abstract

Summary Falling unemployment The Dutch and British casesUnemployment rates in both the UK and the Netherlands have declined substantially since the early 1980s. This has been a decline in equilibrium unemployment, the result of combinations of supply-oriented policies. The combinations are partly overlapping and partly differing between the two countries. The main difference is in wage negotiations: where the Dutch unions were already co-operative, British unions were made to co-operate. The main overlap is in the popularity of part-time work and the re-enforcement of financial incentives for work for unemployed workers collecting benefits.— Steve Nickell and Jan van Ours

Suggested Citation

  • Steve Nickell & Jan van Ours, 2000. "The Netherlands and the United Kingdom: a European unemployment miracle?," Economic Policy, CEPR, CESifo, Sciences Po;CES;MSH, vol. 15(30), pages 136-180.
    • Handle: RePEc:oup:ecpoli:v:15:y:2000:i:30:p:136-180.
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