68 300 unemployed were registered at the Norwegian Labour and Welfare Administration (NAV) by the end of October. This is 26 000 more people than in October last year, that is, an increase of 62 percent. Unemployment is now at 2.6 percent of the workforce.
Seasonally adjusted figures show that the number of unemployed increased by 1 000 persons in the previous month.
– NAV has stepped up measures in recent months and the number of workers participating in the initiatives has increased rapidly. This helps to moderate the growth in unemployment, said Labor and Welfare Director Tor Saglie.
Unemployment highest in the construction industry
In October, unemployment rose most in the construction industry, where the number of unemployed has doubled during the past year. The increase has been particularly high among plumbers and electricians. Unemployment rate was also highest in the construction industry by 4.3 percent, followed by manufacturing (4.0%) and tourism and transportation (3.7%).