Unemployment at 5.1%

The National Statistics Office reports that over May this year, the registered unemployed dropped by 214 over the previous month but increased by 642 over May last year to 7,423. Accordingly, the unemployment rate stood at 5.1 per cent in May 2002.

In August this year unemployment stood at 7,412 - an increase of 235 over the previous month and 356 when compared to August 2001.

In May 2002, the labour supply dropped by 212 persons over the previous month and by 717 when compared to the same month last year. In the same month the full-time gainfully occupied remained stable over April 2002, but declined by 1,359 when compared to May 2001.

Over the month under review, the number of self-employed persons increased by 47 over April 2002 but declined by 34 over its year-ago level to 15,339.

Employment in the private direct production sector increased by 141 over April 2002 but dropped by 183 over May 2001 to 38,090.

In May 2002, employment in the private market services increased by 91 over the previous month. However, it declined by 216 when compared to May last year.

Public sector employment dropped by 228 and by 903 over April 2002 and May 2001 respectively and reached 47,479.