Unemployment edges up slighty in 2005

The number of unemployed persons registered at the District Labour Offices on the last day of December 2005 increased by 364 compared with November 2005 and reached 13,786 persons or 3.9 % of the labour force.

The increase of the unemployed persons from the previous month was mainly recorded in the sectors of hotels and restaurants and public administration, according to the Statistical Service CYSTAT.

Unemployment rose slightly for 2005 as a whole.

The average number of the registered unemployed for the year 2005, reached 13,153 persons or 3.7% of the labour force, compared with 12,650 persons for 2004 and unemployment rate 3.6%.

An increase of the unemployed persons was mainly recorded in the sectors of construction and retail and wholesale trade, whereas a decrease was recorded in the sector of hotels and restaurants.

According to EU-harmonised data based on labour force surveys, unemployment in Cyprus reached 6.3% in November.