Unemployed persons corresponded to 4.8 per cent of the labour force in September, unchanged from June.
According to seasonally- adjusted figures from the Labour Force Survey (LFS), there were 135 000 unemployed persons in September (average of August–October). The increase of 1 000 unemployed persons from June (average of May–July) is clearly within the LFS error margin. In comparison, the number of people registered as unemployed or on government initiatives to promote employment with the Labour and Welfare Administration (NAV) remained unchanged in the same period. This figure is also based on seasonally-adjusted figures and three-month averages.
The LFS shows that from May 2014 to the autumn of 2015 there has been a gradual increase in seasonally- adjusted unemployment. In the past year (September 2015– September 2016), changes in the number of unemployed persons have mainly been within the LFS error margin, and the level fluctuated between 4.5 and 5.0 per cent of the labour force.
Small changes in employment
From June to September, the seasonally-adjusted number of employed persons increased by 17 000. This change is however within the LFS error margin. In the past year (September 2015– September 2016), there have only been small changes in the number of employed persons. In the same period, the population aged 15–74 years has increased, and therefore the employment rate has decreased, from 67.8 per cent to 67.6 per cent in September 2016.
Source: SSB / Norway Today
