The National Bureau of Statistics, NBS, says the number of
unemployed Nigerians rose from 11.19 million as at the end of the third quarter
of 2016 to 11.55 million in the fourth quarter of 2016.
This is contained in NBS unemployment report released on
Monday night.
It noted that during the period, the unemployment rate rose
from 13.9 per cent to 14.2 per cent.
The NBS report said the rate was highest for persons in the
labour force between the ages of 15‐24 and 25‐34, which represents the youth
population in Nigeria.
Unemployment rate was highest for those within the ages of
15 to 24 rising from 25 per cent to 25.2 per cent.
For the 25 to 34 age group, the unemployment rate, according
to the NBS report increased from 15 per cent to 15.4 per cent.
The report added that unemployment and underemployment were
higher for women than men in the fourth quarter of 2016.
While 16.3 per cent of women in the labour force were
unemployed as at the end of the fourth quarter of 2016, 12. 3 per cent of males
were unemployed.
“The economically active population increased from 108.03
million to 108.59 million, this represents a 0.5 percent increase over the
previous quarter and a 3.4 per cent increase when compared to fourth quarter
2015,” NBS noted.
By Wale Odunsi
