Unemployment up to 3.5 percent in Q4 2023 – official data

January 24, Pozirk. Unemployment rose to 3.5 percent of Belarus’ able-bodied population in the fourth quarter of 2023, the National Statistics Committee’s (Biełstat’s) regular household survey showed.

Based on the methodology of the International Labor Organization, Biełstat recorded a 0.1-percent increase in the rate from the third quarter of 2023.

In November 2023, the Belarusian economy employed 4,140,500 people, 0.07 percent fewer than in October (-2,800). A total of 84 percent of the workforce was employed in the fourth quarter, according to the official statistics.

Biełstat recorded 4 percent of men and 2.9 percent of women as unemployed, with unemployment of 3.3 percent in urban areas and 4 percent in rural areas.

Most of the unemployed seek jobs online or through their connections, while only 15 percent use employment services and the national job bank.