Unemployment rate at 11.5% in December

The registered unemployment rate amounted to 11.5% at the end of December, an increase by 0.1 pct compared with November, announced the Ministry of Labour and Social Policy based on data from job centers. It is the lowest since 2008. “The number of registered unemployed amounted to 1,825,800 persons and increased by 26,300, compared with November 2013. In the year 2014, the number of unemployed declined by 332,100 (15.4 pct), while in 2013 the number rose by 21,100 (1 pct)” the press announcement stated. At the end of 2014, the unemployment rate was lower than at the end of the previous year for the first time in five years. The reason behind falling unemployment is economic recovery, according to the Ministry.