MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Magallanes unemployment drops to 5,5%

Magallanes Region unemployment in the March-May quarter reached 5,5%, which represents a 0,6 points less than the same period a year ago, according to Jose Gabriel Parada, head of the regional Chilean Statistics Office.

Parada, head of the regional Chilean Statistics Office. This means that 3.580 people are jobless in Magallanes, 4,7% have lost their jobs and 0,8% are looking for their first employment; that is 550 less than a year ago.

"Magallanes has the second lowest unemployment rate of the country and is well below Chile's national average of 8,3%", added Mr. Parada.

The total labour force stands at 65.390 people and employed 61.810.

Actually Punta Arenas concentrates most of the unemployed, mostly men, but the percentage has dropped considerably from 6,2% March/May 2004 to 4,8% in 2005.

Women unemployment on the other hand increased from 5,8% to 7,1%.

Another interesting detail is that the number of employed or dependent has fallen while those self employed increased.

But Mr. Parada pointed out that the current statistical system does not enable the office to determine if those self employed were forced into that condition or if it was a personal decision.