The Labour Force Survey (LFS) has shown a gradual increase in unemployment from 3.2 per cent in May 2014 to 4.6 per cent in August 2015. According to SSB’s report, the unemployment rate has been stable since that. The LFS shows that the seasonally adjusted number of unemployed decreased by 2 000 from September (average of August-October) to December (average of November-January). This is a change within the LFS error margin.
In comparison, the number of people registered as unemployed or on government initiatives to promote employment with the Labour and Welfare Administration (NAV) increased by 3 000 from September to December. This figure is also based on seasonally-adjusted figures and three-month averages.
Small changes in employment
The LFS shows that the seasonally-adjusted number of employed persons increased by 12 000 from September to December, a change within the error margin. Since the population aged 15-74 years has increased in the same period, the employment rate has remained stable at about 68 per cent.
