Unemployment rate 3.6%
The number of persons in the labour force in the 2nd quarter of 2016 was 199,300 corresponding to an activity rate of 85%. The number of employed persons was 192,100 while unemployed persons were 7,200. The employment rate was 81.9% and the unemployment rate was 3.6%. From the 2nd quarter of 2015 the number of employed persons has increased by 5,600 and the employment rate increased by 1.8 percentage points. At the same time the number of unemployed persons decreased by 2,600 and the unemployment rate fell by 1.4 points. The unemployment rate among females was 4.1% and 3.2% among males.
Long term unemployment
Those who have been unemployed for 12 months or more in 2nd quarter of 2016 were 800 or 0.4% of the total labour force. In the 2nd quarter of 2015 long term unemployed persons were 900 or 0.5% of the labour force.
Persons are classified as unemployed when they 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. Students who are not employed and fulfil this criteria are considered unemployed. 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.
Average working hours
In the 2nd quarter of 2016 the average number of persons at work in the reference week was 174,300, or 74.3% of the population and 90.7% of all in employment. The average number of working hours of those who were at work was 40.9 hours, 45.2 hours for those in full-time employment and 25.2 hours for those in part-time employment.
Labour market statistics, 2nd quarter 2016 - Statistical Series