The number of jobs increased until the middle of 1995 and the unemployment rate fell to under nine percent. It remained over eight per cent until late 1998 and early this year it fell to under 7 per cent for the first time since the recession. The statistics show the continuing seriousness of the problem. In August 2000 there were 6 unemployed people for every reported job vacancy. But it is the people behind the statistics who bear the brunt of unemployment.
Prolonged unemployment leads to poverty and hardship.
It is unacceptable in our society that such a high percentage of people ready and willing to work are not able to do so. This issue of Unemployment update provides a summary of recent employment and unemployment statistics. The Brotherhood publishes a wide variety of material on unemployment which expands on these issues. 6354.0, Table 1. The ABS carries out monthly labour force surveys to provide these estimates.