Jobless rate up 5.4% in 2012
Employment Service figures point to market stability as December sees just 0.3% increase in number of unemployed from November
Overall, according to the Employment Service's monthly report, Israel's jobless rate went up 5.4% in 2012.
The total number of dismissed workers in 2012 stood at 147,583 compared to 136,299 in 2011, up 8.2%.
A breakdown according to age groups shows that the number of dismissed workers aged 18-24 totaled 1,455, 25-34 – 4,349, 35-44 – 3,109, 45-54 – 1,941, 55-64 – 1,351, and age 65 and up – 172.
A breakdown according to geographical region shows that 1,624 were dismissed in the Jerusalem district, 3,698 in the Tel Aviv district, 3,005 in the northern district, 2,051 in the Sharon and valet district, and 1,955 in the southern district.
In a breakdown according to profession, the number of academics stood at 1,788, freelance professions – 1,305, managers – 801, office workers – 1,806, salespersons and service providers – 1,966, agriculture workers – 90, industry and construction professionals – 2,520, and unprofessional workers – 2,101.
'Stability in labor market'
The total number of job seekers (residents who reported to the Employment Service office at least once a month), according to the figures, totaled 204,264 – 114,491 women and 89,773 men, compared to 202,031 in November.
A breakdown according to age groups shows that the number of job seekers aged 18-24 totaled 14,270, 25-34 – 41,232, 35-44 – 45,859, 45-54 – 46,724, 55-64 – 50,440, and age 65 and up – 5,739.
A breakdown according to geographical region shows that 22,220 job seekers were recorded in the Jerusalem district, 35,372 in the Tel Aviv district, 65,332 in the northern district, 31,837 in the Sharon and valet district, and 48,113 in the southern district.
In a breakdown according to profession, the number of academics looking for work stood at 17,406, freelance and technical professions – 13,911, managers – 6,172, office workers – 18,228, salespersons and service providers – 27,920, agriculture workers – 2,777, industry and construction professionals – 40,904, and unprofessional workers – 76,946.
Employment Service officials explain that a significant part of the rise in the number of unemployed stems from a 3.2% increase in the civil workforce in 2012 according to the Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS).
The CBS data also reveal that the demand for workers in the business sector in December was up 5.6% from November and that the number of job openings increased from 59,300 to 62,600 jobs.
"These figures points to stability in Israel's labor market," says Employment Service Director-General Boaz Hirsch.
