Unemployment figures fall for fourth consecutive month

NAV office, where unemployed and job seekers goes for support.NAV. Photo: Norway Today Media

Unemployment fell in March for the fourth consecutive month, and according to the Minister of Labour, we are now on the verge, poised, tottering, on the very ledge of having put the darkest period of despair, hopelessness, and despondency behind us.

According to seasonally adjusted figures from Nav, in March, there were 1,500 fewer unemployed people in this country. 81,300 were registered unemployed, a decrease of 8,000 persons by comparison to March 2016. Unemployment is now at 2.9 %, down from 3.2 % in March last year.

Norway’s Improving Economy

‘In recent months, we have seen several signs that the Norwegian economy is improving. In March, the unemployment rate fell for the fourth month in a row, and we are now seeing a decline in unemployment figures in the country. The fact that unemployment within the fields of engineering, and Information and Communication Technology (ICT) more than doubled over the past two years, but has even fallen for this occupational group over the past three months, demonstrates that we have turned a corner,’ said Labour and Welfare Director, Sigrun Vågeng.

The decline in unemployment continued apace in southern and western Norway, but it was Hedmark and Telemark that showed the largest percentage of decline in the number of unemployed in March this year. Unemployment either declined, or remained unchanged in every profession.

‘As Easter is later this year than it was last year, it leads to a larger decline from February to March than it would otherwise have been’, said Nav, somewhat gloomily. The reason for this greater decline is that unemployment figures are taken out two weeks later than in the corresponding month last year. This will also affect the April figures.
Labour and Social Minister, Anniken HaUnemployment falls further

Unemployment fell in March for the fourth consecutive month, and according to the Minister of Labor, we are now about to put the darkest time behind us.

In March, 1,500 fewer unemployed in this country, according to seasonally adjusted figures from the Nav. It was registered 81,300 unemployed, a decrease of 8,000 persons compared with March last year. Unemployment is now at 2.9 percent, down from 3.2 percent in March last year.

Economy improving

‘In recent months we have seen several signs that the Norwegian economy is improving.

In March, the unemployment rate fell for the fourth month in a row and we are now seeing a decline in the country. After that unemployment within the engineering and ICT classes more than doubled over the last two years, unemployment has now fallen ready for this occupational group in the past three months’, said Labor and Welfare Director Sigrun Vågeng.

The decline in unemployment continues in southern and western Norway, but it was Hedmark and Telemark had the largest percentage decline in the number of unemployed in March. Unemployment declined or remained unchanged in all professions.

Optimism

As Easter is later this year than last year, it means that the decline from February to March is greater than it otherwise would have been, said Nav. The reason is that unemployment figures this year are taken out two weeks later than in the corresponding month last year. This will also affect the April figures.

Labour and Social Minister, Anniken Hauglie, despite the figures being artificially hoisted by the happy spin of the wheel of fortune, is satisfied with developments in unemployment.

‘We are about to put the darkest, bleakest time behind us, and it lightens the darkened, crimson brow of the labour market gently. With fewer unemployed, we see signs of increased optimism in the world of business and high finance’, she said.

 

Source: NTB scanpix / Norway Today