In January, the number of unemployed persons was virtually unchanged declining by only 1 thousand to 2.951 million from 2.952 million in December. While the number of employed persons went up by 70 thousand or by 0.3 percent to 22.632 million from 22.562 million in the previous month. Employment rate to 56.8 percent from 56.7 percent in December to reach its highest level for three and a half years.
Youth unemployment rate (aged 15-24) rose for the second straight month to 39.3 percent from 38.7 percent the month before.
Year-on-year, the number of unemployed fell by 169 thousand or 5.4 percent while the the number of employed increased by 299 thousand or 1.3 percent.