At the end of March, 211,700 job seekers were registered at the Norwegian Labor and Welfare Administration (NAV). That is the highest number since September last year.
That amounts to 7.5% of the workforce, the NAV states. Adjusted for seasonal fluctuations, the number of job seekers increased by 3,900 from February.
“In March, we again have over 210,000 job seekers registered at the NAV. That is the highest number since September last year and underlines the serious consequences of the pandemic on the labor market,” NAV chief Hans Christian Holte pointed out.
The increase is most significant in store and sales work. In this occupational group, there have been 3,800 new completely or partially unemployed workers – when the figures are adjusted for seasonal fluctuations.
Unemployment connected to the pandemic
“The increase in unemployment in shop and sales work is due to the fact that several shopping centers and shops have had to close in connection with outbreaks in various parts of the country,” Holte added.
In the last month, the number of completely unemployed people – regardless of the occupational group – has increased the most in Vestfold and Telemark (1,500) and Viken (1,200).
Out of all the job seekers, 119,300 people are registered as completely unemployed. 74,900 are registered as partially unemployed, while 17,600 job seekers are on state measures.
At the beginning of September of 2020, 212,700 job seekers had been registered. At the end of the month, the number had been reduced to 197,900.
Source: © NTB Scanpix / #Norway Today / #NorwayTodayFinance
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