The country’s youth unemployment rate increased to nearly 18 per cent in the fourth quarter of last year, an increase of 1.2 per cent from the previous quarter. However, this is a decrease from almost 23 per cent in the first quarter. The overall unemployment rate stood at more than three per cent in the fourth quarter of last year. Youth unemployment measures the percentage of unemployed individuals in the age group of 15-24 years.
The survey reveals that more female youth were unemployed compared to males between October and December last year.
During this period, the female youth unemployment rate stood at 21.2 per cent, while for males, it stood at 14.5 per cent.
The report also shows that youth unemployment was higher in urban areas with 19.8 per cent compared to 15.5 per cent in rural areas.
Key findings from the survey indicate that of the total working-age population, only 64.8 per cent were economically active in the fourth quarter of last year.
Additionally, 74 per cent of working-age males were economically active, compared to 54.6 per cent of females in the same period.
Agriculture, forestry, and fishery remain the largest employment sectors of the workforce. These sectors provided jobs to almost 150,000 individuals.
Deki Lhazom
Edited by Sonam Pem