Jobseeker total falls again

Tuesday 25 March 2014

The number of registered job seekers in Jersey has continued to drop, this time to its lowest level for 18 months.

1,710 people signed in with Social Security as looking for work in February this year, a level not seen since August in 2012, and a reduction of 9% in the last year. But that number is still almost double the pre-recession total of 790, which was the comparable number for January 2009.

The most recent statistics published today by the States highlight a problem with those remaining on the job-seekers register for more than a year. This total has increased marginally in the last month, and at 310 people accounts for 17% of the total. 

Other statistics released today include:

• The sector which featured most heavily was listed as "retail and wholesale, sales and motor repairs".
• 28% of those registered as looking for work were under the age of 25.
• 43% had been registered for three months or less. 

The figures are taken from a report published by the States Statistics Unit each month, on the number of people registered as actively seeking work. This is not the number of people who are unemployed, and the report notes that the actual unemployment level in Jersey in June 2013 was closer to 3,200 people.