Labour force, Employment and Unemployment

Highlights

Fourth Quarter 2011

Fourth quarter 2011

1. Employment of Mauritians is estimated at 541,800 at the fourth quarter of 2011 compared to 537,800 at the third quarter of 2011 and 537,700 at the fourth quarter of 2010.

2. The unemployment rate is estimated at 7.5% for the fourth quarter of 2011 compared to 7.9% at the third quarter of 2011 and 7.2% at the fourth quarter of 2010.

3. The main characteristics of the unemployed at the fourth quarter of 2011 were:

(i) The 43,800 unemployed comprised 17,900 males (41%) and 25,900 females (59%).

(ii) 17,100 or about 39% of the unemployed were aged below 25 years.

(iii) About 48% (21,100) of the unemployed were single. Among males, the majority (68%) was single while among females, the majority (66%) was ever married.

(iv) Some 8,600 or 20% had not reached the Certificate of Primary Education (CPE) level or equivalent and a further 15,900 (36%) did not have the Cambridge School Certificate (SC) or equivalent.

(v) 9,400 (21%) had been looking for work for more than one year.

(vi) 15,600 (36%) were looking for a first job.

(vii) 5,500 or 13% of the unemployed were heads of households.

(viii) 7,900 (18%) lived in households with no employed persons.

Year 2011
4. Employment of Mauritians increased by 600 from 536,100 in 2010 to 536,700 in 2011.

5. Unemployment rate increased marginally from 7.8% in 2010 to 7.9% in 2011.

March 2012