Unemployment drops in December

Unemployment in December last year dropped by 2.8%, compared to November 2009, the Statistical Service has announced.

The average number of registered unemployed persons for the entire year, 2009, reached 17,505, compared to 11,541 in 2008, recording an increase of 51.7%. The increase was mainly recorded in the sectors of construction, trade, hotels and restaurants, real estate and business activities, manufacturing as well as to newcomers in the labour market.

According to the Statistical Service, the number of unemployed persons in Cyprus, registered at the District Labour Offices on the last day of December 2009, reached 21,530, according to the latest figures released by the Statistical Service.

These figures show that, based on the seasonally adjusted data, the number of registered unemployed reached 19,745 persons in December, recording a decrease of 2,8% compared to the previous month.

The trend of the registered unemployed that showed an upward movement in the past months shows signs of stabilisation.

In comparison with December 2008, an increase of 7,361 persons or 52.0% was recorded, which was mainly observed in the sectors of construction (an increase of 1,864 unemployed persons), public administration (an increase of 1,283), trade (an increase of 1,016), hotels and restaurants (an increase of 956), real estate and business activities (an increase of 639), manufacturing (an increase of 553), as well as to newcomers in the labour market, where an increase of 371 unemployed persons was recorded.