Hungary jobless rate slightly up in Q1

Hungary’s rolling average three-month jobless rate stood at 3.9 percent in January-March, the Central Statistical Office (KSH) said on Friday.

The rate rose from 3.8 percent but fell from 4.5 percent a year earlier. The three-month rolling rate rose for the first time since last February-April.

The rate covers unemployment among Hungarians between the ages of 15 and 74.

In absolute terms, the number of unemployed averaged 177,900 in January-March, up just 200 from December-February and down 28,800 in one year.

The unemployment rate in the 15-24 age group stood at 10.4 percent. The unemployed between these ages accounted for nearly one-fifth of all jobless.

The average time spent looking for work was 16.4 months during the period.

The number of employed Hungarians stood at 4,435,200 during the period, up 67,300 from a year earlier. The number included 158,500 in public work schemes — 42,200 fewer than a year earlier — and 96,500 working abroad, down 15,200 in twelve months.

KSH defines “employed” in line with International Labour Organisation standards as anybody who worked one or more hour a week or was temporarily absent from their job during the survey week. The data also include those employed in public work schemes and those working abroad for less than one year.