BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN

THE number of unemployed citizens and permanent residents in the country has increased from 11, 469 in June to 12,173 in July.

The Department of Economic Planning and Development (JPKE) released the statistics, based on jobseekers between the ages of 18 and 59 years old, in a statement issued yesterday.

JPKE attributed the 6.1 per cent increase to 750 newly-registered jobseekers.

In the age group, there was a 38.5 per cent increase for unemployed locals between the ages of 35-39 from 1,012 to 1,402, followed by those aged between 18-19 years old at 28.9 per cent from 464 to 598.

Meanwhile, the number of those unemployed in the 20-24 age bracket rose 8.9, from 3,252 in June to 3,542 in July.

Out of total figures for July, 8,187 (67 per cent) of those registered were from the Brunei-Muara district. Tutong has the second highest number of unemployed locals at 1,809 while 1,519 and 658 people were registered in Belait and Temburong respectively.

Females continue to be the highest number of unemployed locals — the number stands at 7,136 for July, and increase from 6,733 in June.

In the education breakdown, majority of jobseekers in April, May, June and July were made up of those with secondary education as their highest qualification.

The monthly statistics on local jobseekers are compiled to provide the latest estimates as well as the profile of Brunei citizens and permanent residents aged between 18 and 59 years old who do not have jobs and are actively seeking for work, or termed as unemployed, JPKE said.

More information on the statistics can be obtained by contacting 2230250 or 2233344 during office hours. Interested parties can also visit www.depd.gov.bn or email info.statistics@ jpke.gov.bn.

The Brunei Times