February unemployment falls

The number of unemployed persons registered with the Employment and Training Corporation in February, 2003 reached 7,707 persons, a drop of 172 compared with the previous month, and of 234 when compared with February, 2002, the National Statistics Office said yesterday.

The unemployment rate among young workers (under 25 years) stood at 8.5 per cent for men, and at 5.6 per cent for women in September, 2002. The unemployment rate for young men and women together reached 7.2 per cent in September, 2002. The unemployment rate among older workers (more than 45 years) stood at 3.7 per cent in September, 2002. For older men, this stood at four per cent, and for older women, 2.4 per cent.

In September, 2002, the long-term unemployment rate stood at the same level of December, 2001 - two per cent.

ETC administrative records indicate that, in line with past years, the occupations that were mostly sought after by the registered unemployed in February, 2003 were elementary, clerical, and service and sales-related occupations.

Unemployed men and women differ sharply in the occupations they seek. Generally, men tend to seek more elementary occupations, while women go more for clerical and service and sales-related occupations.