NSI: Bulgaria Q4 2009 Unemployment Hits 8%

Bulgarian unemployment reached almost 8% in the final quarter of 2009, with the young being particularly affected, according to NSI statistics. Photo by nsi.bg

Bulgaria's unemployed numbered 272 800, or 7,9%, in the final quarter of 2009, according to data released by the National Statistical Institute (NSI).

This represented a rise of 95 1000, or 2,9%, when compared with the same period in 2008, the Labor Force statistics released on Monday revealed.

Unemployment affected men to a greater extent than women, by 3,5% and 2,3% respectively. In the fourth quarter of 2009, unemployment among men stood at 8,4%, with 7,4% of women affected.

The young (15-24 years) were hard hit by unemployment. The overall rate in this age group was 19,5%, with males at 20,9% and females at 17,3%, giving a total number of 53 200 unemployed.

Shorter-term unemployment, for less than one year, rose significantly in Q4, 2009 compared with the previous year. The rate rose by 86,8%, affecting 155 200 people, or 56,9% of the total unemployment figure.

During the last three months of 2009, the economically active in the 15-64 years age group numbered 3 396 100, or 66,5% of the population in that age group. The ratio of employment for the group fell by 3,1% compared with the same period in 2008.

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