The latest figures from the Ministry of Employment showed that in September the number of unemployed increased by 0.12% m/m or 3,164 people - the lowest figure for this month since 2007 - to 2,575,285 people, while economists had expected an increase of 25,000. On an annual basis, the number of unemployed decreased by 147,183 people or by 5.41%.
Compared to August, the number of unemployed decreased in the construction (-4,856 or -2.4%), agriculture sector (-1,515 or -1.73%) and in the industry (-1,365 people or -0.67%). Meanwhile, an increase was recorded in services (+4,351 or +0,24%) and in the group with no previous employment (+6,549 or +2,79%).
Unemployment among women increased by 3,080 (the weakest growth for September since 2007) or 0.20%, to 1,553,738, while unemployment among men increased by 84 or 0.01%, to 1,021,547. Unemployment among youth under the age of 25 increased by 15,027 people or 8.48% compared to August.