1,000 fewer unemployed in August – some improvement in Rogaland

NAVLogo NAV. Photo Norway Today Media

Unemployment in Norway decreased by 1,000 people in August, according to seasonally adjusted figures from Nav. Also in Rogaland there is improvement. Unemployment is now 3.1 percent, the same as in August last year.

Unemployment fell most in Aust-Agder and Finnmark in August, when adjusted for normal seasonal variations. Only South Trondelag had a slight increase in unemployment, while the level remaining stable in four counties.

Construction occupations, retail and sales were occupational groups where unemployment fell most in August. Within the engineering and ICT subjects continued unemployment is on the increase.

3.1 percent

Unemployment is at 3.1 percent, the same as in August last year, according to figures that are not seasonally adjusted.

– Unemployment continued to lose ground in august. Some of the decline is due to higher project levels, but we also see that there are fewer people who are unemployed now than last autumn. The main picture so far this year is the sum of the unemployed and job seekers on measures now appears to have stabilized, said Labor and Welfare Director Sigrun Vågeng.

– Incredibly happy

Its go ing in the right direction, says Labour and Social Affairs Anikken Hauglie.

– I am delighted about these figures, Hauglie said.

– It is too early for fresh signs the labor market and the economic situation is on the mend. There are still clouds on the horizon, but we see signs that it might have stalled, she said.

Improvement in crisis-hit county

Particularly the labor minister draws attention to Rogaland county that has been hardest hit due to the decline in the oil sector. Where unemployment is at 4.5 percent, an increase of 3.6 percent from last August. At the end of August, 11,748 people were out of work in the county, around 200 fewer than one month earlier.

– It’s not big numbers, but it is after all down, not up, commented the Minister of Labour.

 

Source: NTB scanpix / Norway Today