75,000 were unemployed as of late 2006

The number of unemployed persons was of about 75,000 as of late 2006. Unemployment affects to a greater extent men – 63.8% and persons from urban regions – 62.2%. According to the data of the National Statistics Bureau, out of the total number of unemployed persons, only 2.9% were engaged in education. On average, people stay unemployed 22 months. About 43% didn’t have a job for 12 months and over 24.3% represented the youth (aged from 15 to 24). The unemployment rate (the share of unemployed persons out of the total economically active population) reached the figure of 5.6%. Significant disparities between the unemployment rate in men – 7% and women – 4.1%; in urban regions – 7.6% against the indicator in villages – 3.9%. Among youth (15-24) the unemployment rate represented 17.3%. The number of persons who are officially said to be working abroad was about 334,000 persons, equaling to 21.1% of the total inactive population aged 15 and above. 2/3 of those working abroad are men. The share of persons who left abroad from rural regions is similar.