The unemployment rate in Armenia reached 6.8% in Jan.-Oct. 2009.

According to Business 24 daily, in Jan.-Oct. 2009 economically active population of Armenia totaled 1m 185 thousand people, of which 1m 104 thousand — employed. The increasing growth of officially unemployed was registered for the mentioned period. The number of unemployed went up from 75.2 thousand (in January) to 81 thousand (in October).

In 2008, unemployment rate in Armenia totaled 6.3%, whereas in 2007 — 7.1%. The number of official unemployed reached 75 thousand in 2008 and 84 thousand people — in 2007.

The highest unemployment rate is registered in Shirak region (14.8 thousand), Lori region (12.6 thousand) and Kotayk (8.8 thousand).

A.G.