Compared to the previous month, there were 2.09 million unemployed persons, higher than 2.05 November; employment rose by 31 thousand to 64.75 million and labour force also went up by 34 thousand to 66.85 million. Those detached from the labour force fell by 35 thousand to 43.84 million.
Among people aged 15 to 24 years old, the jobless rate rose to 4.9 percent from 4.3 percent.
A year earlier, unemployment was higher at 3.3 percent.