The Department of Statistics last week reported that the unemployment rate this month has risen slightly to 13.4 per cent, up from 13.2 per cent in August.
A department survey showed that 38 per cent of the jobless have been seeking employment for more than one year and another 50 per cent have spent less than six months looking for jobs.
The survey revealed that unemployment among male Jordanians stood at 11.6 per cent and among females at 22.2 per cent.
According to the August survey, unemployment among males in rural areas stood at 14.9 per cent compared with urban areas where the rate was 13 per cent. It said the jobless rate among women in rural areas was 26.6 per cent compared to 21.3 per cent in urban areas.
Unemployment was highest among people aged 15 to 24, at 25.6 per cent. Among those aged 25 to 49, the jobless rate was 6.7 per cent.
The survey also revealed that 2.1 per cent of the unemployed are illiterate and 54 per cent have not obtained the secondary school certificate.
Independent institutions have placed the unemployment rate in Jordan at 27 per cent — almost double the department's official figures.
The official unemployment rate fluctuated throughout the year, starting at around 14 per cent, dropping to 10 per cent by the end of the first quarter, then rising again to 14 per cent by mid-year. ― (Jordan Times)
© 2000 Mena Report (www.menareport.com)
