Unemployment rate witnesses slight increase in Q3 2019 — DoS

AMMAN — The unemployment rate in the third quarter of 2019 stood at 19.1 per cent, up by 0.5 per cent compared with the same period of 2018, the Department of Statistics (DoS) said on Sunday. 

In a statement carried by the Jordan News Agency, Petra, the DoS noted that unemployment among males in the aforementioned period amounted to 17.1 per cent, compared to 27.5 per cent among females, adding that the rates increased by 0.8 and 0.4 per cent among males and females, respectively. 

The joblessness rate among holders of university degrees was high compared to holders of other certificates, standing at 25.2 per cent, the department said, noting that 55.8 per cent of unemployed people hold a secondary school certificate and higher.

A total of 44.2 per cent of unemployed people hold educational qualifications that are lower than a secondary certificate, according to the DoS.

The percentage of unemployed males who hold a bachelor’s degree and higher stood at 29.7 per cent, while the percentage of unemployed females holding a bachelor’s degree and higher reached 83 per cent. 

The unemployment rates among the 15-19 and 20-24 age groups were the highest of all age groups, reaching 29.9 and 38.8 per cent, respectively.

As for the distribution among the governorates, Madaba registered the highest unemployment rate at 23.9 per cent, while Karak registered the lowest at 14.5 per cent, the department added.