Registered unemployment falls to 3.2% in April

But shows Q4 rise under different definitions

The number of registered unemployed fell to 11,363 in April, or 3.2% of the workforce, from 13,730, or 3.9% in March according to the Statistical Service CYSTAT.

Of the total, 10.7% had been unemployed for over one year–rather lower than the proportion according to the Labour Force Survey (see below). Almost half (48.3%) had reached no higher than secondary education, while 43% of unemployed were registered in Nicosia, the capital.

Females accounted for 53.5% of unemployed and males for 46.5%. Unemployment was highest in the age group 50 to 59, which accounted for 23.2% of all unemployed. The 30-39 age group accounted for 20.9% and the 40-49 age group accounted for 22.3%.

Compared with April 2005, the number of unemployed rose slightly by 229 persons from 1,134 in April 2005. However, an increase in the size of the labour force meant that the unemployment rate was steady at 3.2%.

The biggest fall from April 2005 to April 2006 was recorded in the number of those recorded as unemployed in public administration and defence.

This number rose quite sharly in 2005, although it is believed to be because of a rise in early retirement.

Early retirees from the public sector can claim unemployment for six months.

Labour Force Survey shows rise in Q4

The Labour Force Survey, which is conducted once every quarter and counts all those looking for work, rather than just those who are registered, showed a rise in the unemployment rate in the fourth quarter of 2005 to 5.3% of the labour force, from 5.0% in the fourth quarter of 2004.

It also showed a much large proportion of those unemployed for over a year, at 23.5%, compared with only 10.7% according to the registered unemployed figures.

Fiona Mullen