ARMENIA POSTS SLIGHT DECLINE IN UNEMPLOYMENT RATE

Armenpress

YEREVAN, JULY 24, ARMENPRESS: The unemployment rate in Armenia fell
slightly in the second quarter of the year to 7.5 percent from 7.7
percent at the start of the year. The highest rate-17.2 percent-
was in the northeastern province of Lori, followed by Syunik in the
south with 16.6 percent and Shirak in the northwest with 15.8 percent.

According to official figures, released by the National Statistical
Committee (Armstat), some 113,000 people were looking for jobs in
the first half of the year. Some 90,000, or almost 80 percent,. were
granted the unemployed status, which means that they were receiving
unemployment benefits and money allowances. Women continue to make
the bulk of all unemployed-71.4 percent- or nearly 65,000. Manual
workers constitute 64 percent of all unemployed. They are followed by
engineers, accountants, hospital nurses and teachers. The highest
demand in the labor market is for skilled programmers, doctors
for regions, translators, insurance agents, brokers, jewelers and
shop-assistants.