The jobless rate reached 6.6% in Panama in August, one percentage point increase over the same month last year,

according to the Comptroller. According to the Household Survey conducted by the National Institute of Statistics and Censuses, "the overall unemployment rate rose from 5.6% in August 2008, to 6.6% in August this year," said the Comptroller in a statement. Unemployment is higher in urban areas (7.9%) than rural (3.9%) and affects more women (8.9%) than men (5.1%). "In fact just the loss of 2,131 jobs (in the midst of international crisis) according to the survey estimate is minimal," said Minister of Economy and Finance, Alberto Vallarino. Unemployment rose due to the completion of various infrastructure projects in the first six months of the year and due to the economic crisis "that has affected certain sectors," the minister told RPC Radio. According to the survey, the economically active population reached 4.2 million, up 2% from a year ago. The Atlantic province of Colon had the highest unemployment rate (10.4%) and the Darien jungle of the lowest (1.4%) with indigenous areas (1%), detailed the Comptroller.

PANAMA (AFP)

SOURCE: www.panama-guide.com