In January, 240,782 jobless people were registered with the job offices, up 3.7 per cent (8,493 people) from December, the Employment Agency said. This is 11.9 per cent (32,498 people) below the year-ago figure.

The unemployment rate rose 0.23 percentage points from December to 6.5 per cent, the Agency said. This is 0.88 percentage points below the year-earlier jobless rate.

January unemployment in eight regions was lower than the country average: Sofia City 1.3 per cent, and the regions of Bourgas 3.99 per cent, Gabrovo 4.24 per cent, Varna 4.89 per cent, Plovdiv 5.27 per cent, Stara Zagora 5.28 per cent, Pernik 5.41 per cent, and Rousse 6.19 per cent.

Of the remaining 20 regions, the following had the highest jobless rates: Turgovishte 12.74 per cent, Shoumen 11.91 per cent, Smolyan 11.33 per cent, Montana 10.96 per cent, Razgrad 10.66 per cent and Vidin 10.36 per cent.

At 56,639, the unemployed who left the job offices were three times (37,837 people) more than in December. Of them, 75.9 per cent (43,001 people) found jobs. Those who dropped out were 13,638, 45.2 per cent (4,247 people) more than in December.

The Employment Agency said that supply increased in the labor market. There was a growing inflow of unemployed people whose subsidized or seasonal jobs came to an end. Companies from all industries reported thinner order books and difficulties due to poor demand in January. There was an increase in job office registrations of people who lost their jobs, although there were no massive redundancies due to a downturn in business.

Source: BTA