Unemployment fell further
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An average 430 thousand people were unemployed in March-May of this year. This equals 5.8 percent of the labour force. The last time unemployment was lower than 6 percent was in 2003.
The seasonally adjusted unemployment figure for the period March-May 2006 was 418 thousand. This is 10 thousand people fewer than in the period February-April, continuing the fall in unemployment. Since the period July-September 2005, unemployment has decreased by almost 70 thousand people. The decrease follows a period of rather stable unemployment.
71 thousand fewer people were unemployed in March-May than one year previously. Unemployment was lower in all age categories, but the decrease was relatively largest among younger people.
Unemployment among men fell substantially: in March-May 2006 an average 204 thousand men were unemployed. This is 44 thousand fewer than twelve months previously. For women unemployment also fell, but by less than for men.