By 3 News online staff
Statistics New Zealand has released its unemployment figures for the December 2011 quarter, and the unemployment rate has fallen from 6.6 percent to 6.3 percent – with 7000 fewer people unemployed in New Zealand.
After a sharp rise in male employment in September, men’s overall unemployment rose in December, with 1,000 more men out of work.
However 8000 fewer women are now unemployed with 7000 of those in paid employment, producing the overall increase and narrowing the gap between male and female unemployment rates.
The overall employment rate remained steady at 63.9 percent, showing the increase in the number of people employed is keeping pace with the growing working-age population.
The employment rate has not changed for three consecutive quarters.
The number of people not in the labour force rose by 11,000 in the December 2011 quarter, particularly in the 20–24 and 65+ age groups – reflecting an ageing population and more young people choosing study over a full-time job.
Part-time employment rose 3 percent, with the biggest annual increase in the education and training industry.
The proportion of youth not in employment, education, or training (NEET rate) has risen slightly, and is now at 13.1 percent.
3 News