SIB measures rise in unemployment rate

By Aaron Humes: Unemployment is up once more, but the Statistical Institute of Belize (SIB), attributed the rise to specific groups and classes.

The September 2019 edition of the Labour Force Survey, done biannually, measured unemployment at 10.4 percent of the labor force (all persons over 14 who are willing and available to work). This is compared to 7.7 percent in April and 9.4 percent last September.

A further 38,000 persons are underemployed, working for fewer hours and less wage than attributable to their skills and education.

While there was a net gain of over 5,600 jobs countrywide, particularly in the Cayo and Toledo districts, it was offset by a rise in the number of females entering the labor force and finding none or lower-paid jobs.

The median income fell to $1,134, a loss of $110.

The statisticians say the rise is roughly consistent with previous figures as April consistently records lower rates of unemployment.

The survey is conducted face to face with 2,800 randomly selected households in each survey period.

We’ll have more in subsequent stories.

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