Unemployment rate 7.1%
In the first quarter of 2009, 12,700 persons were unemployed and in search of a job or 7.1% of the labour force. The unemployment rate was 9.2% for men and 4.8% for women. The unemployment rate was highest among persons aged 16-24 years old, or 12.6%. The number of unemployed persons increased by 8,500 since the first quarter of 2008.
In the first quarter of 2008 the unemployment rate was 2.3%. The unemployment rate was 2.5% for men and 2.2% for women. The unemployment rate was highest amongst young people aged 16-24 years old, or 6.5%.
Persons are classified as unemployed who have no employment, are actively seeking a job and could start working within two weeks or have found a job which starts within 3 months.
The number of employed persons decreased by 8,500 and the activity rate was 79.5%
The number of employed persons in the first quarter of 2009 was 165,500 and had decreased by 8,500 since the first quarter of 2008. The number of persons in the labour force was 178,200, which corresponds to an activity rate of 79.5%. The activity rate for men was 83.3% and 75.5% for women. The labour force is comprises employed and unemployed persons. People are classified as working (employed) if they worked one hour or more in the reference week or were absent from work they usually carry out.
In the first quarter of 2008 the number of persons in the labour force was 178,100 and the activity rate was 81%. The activity rate of men was 85.5% and the activity rate of women was 76.1%.
Employed persons work 38.9 hours per week
In the first quarter of 2009 the average number of working hours for those who worked during in the reference week was 38.9 hours. Men worked 43.3 hours and women worked 33.9 hours on average in the reference week. The average number of working hours of those who worked full-time was 44.7 hours per week and 21.7 hours for those working part-time.
In the first quarter of 2008 the average working hours were 40.8 hours. Men worked 45.5 hours and women 35.1 hours on average. For those who worked full-time it was 46.2 hours per week and 22 hours for those working part-time.
| Labour market in 1st quarter | |||||
| 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | ||
| 1. Q | 1. Q | 1. Q | 1. Q | Conf.Int. ± | |
| Activity rate | 81,1 | 82,2 | 81,0 | 79,5 | 1,3 |
| Employment rate | 79,2 | 80,5 | 79,1 | 73,8 | 1,4 |
| Unemployment rate | 2,4 | 2,0 | 2,3 | 7,1 | 1,0 |
| Labour force, est. number | 167.500 | 176.300 | 178.100 | 178.200 | 2.800 |
| Employed, est. number | 163.500 | 172.800 | 174.000 | 165.500 | 3.200 |
| Unemployed, est. number | 4.000 | 3.500 | 4.200 | 12.700 | 1.800 |
| Employed full time, est. number | 120.300 | 128.500 | 133.500 | 123.500 | 2.600 |
| Employed part time, est. number | 43.200 | 44.300 | 40.500 | 42.000 | 2.600 |
| Working hours | 41,2 | 41,6 | 40,8 | 38,9 | 0,6 |
| Working hours full time | 47,2 | 47,4 | 46,2 | 44,7 | 0,6 |
| Working hours part time | 23,8 | 23,3 | 22,0 | 21,4 | 0,8 |
| Inactive, est. number | 39.100 | 38.300 | 41.800 | 46.000 | 2.800 |
| Population , est. number | 206.600 | 214.600 | 220.000 | 224.200 | |
| Figures may not add up because of rounding. | |||||
Implementation of the Labour Force Survey
Since 2003 Statistics Iceland has conducted a continuous labour force survey with quarterly results. The first quarter of 2009 covers 13 weeks, from 29th of December to 29th of March. The total sample size was 3,877 persons aged 16-74 years old selected randomly from the National registry. When those who had passed away or those who were living abroad had been deducted from the sample the net sample was 3,790 persons. In total the number of usable answers was 3,101 which correspond to 81.8% response rate. All figures have been weighted by sex and age groups. The confidence limit of the results on activity rate is ± 1.3%, unemployment rate is ± 1% and working hours is ± 0.6 hours.
Labour market statistics, 1st quarter 2009 - Statistical Series
Statistics