The unemployment rate was an estimated 8.8 per cent in the month—a decrease of 0.1 percentage point over the previous month’s figure. It was estimated 7.1 per cent for men and 12 per cent for women.

The number of employed persons increased by 399,000 to 32.56 million in the month compared to the previous month’s figure. The employment rate was 48.8 per cent—a rise of 0.6 percentage point month on month (MoM). The rate was 66.1 per cent for men and 31.9 per cent for women.

The number of persons in the labour force was 35.154 million in December—an increase of 387,000 MoM.

The labour force participation rate was 53.5 per cent—a rise of 0.5 percentage point. This rate was 71.1 per cent for men and 36.3 per cent for women.

The youth unemployment rate in the 15-24 age group was 15.5 per cent—a decrease of 0.8 percentage point MoM. This rate was an estimated 11.5 per cent for men and 22.8 per cent for women.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (DS)