Fed: Drop in people looking for work lowers Nov jobless rate

AAP General News (Australia)
12-13-2001
Fed: Drop in people looking for work lowers Nov jobless rate

A drop in the number of people looking for work has lowered Australia's unemployment
rate from 7.1 per cent to 6.7 per cent in November.

The Australian Bureau of Statistics says that allowing for seasonal factors, the number
of people in work grew by 4,100.

But it says the number of people registered as searching for work dropped by 36,100 to 660,800.

An extra 16,200 full time jobs were created in November, while part time employment fell 12,000.

The bureau says the unemployment rate fell because of the fall in the participation
rate -- the ratio of people over 15 years of age working or looking for work.

This from 63.8 per cent to 63.5 per cent.



Western Australia had the lowest jobless rate -- 6.2 per cent, from 6.8 per cent in
October -- followed by Victoria on 6.3 per cent from 7.0 per cent, New South Wales on
6.4 per cent from 6.6 per cent, South Australia on 6.8 per cent from 7.2 per cent, Queensland
on 7.9 per cent from 8.0 per cent, and Tasmania on 8.8 per cent from 8.5 per cent.

AAP RTV jph/rt

KEYWORD: JOBS (CANBERRA)

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