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The share of completely unemployed rose to 4.4 percent in January, according to figures from Nav. That same month, 2.4 percent of the workforce was laid off.
The case is being updated.
The share of completely unemployed rose to 4.4 percent in January, according to recent figures from Nav.
A total of 124,000 people were registered as completely unemployed. That’s 17,000 more than the previous month.
At the same time, the number of laid off workers has increased by 5,700 since December, representing a total of 2.4 percent of the workforce.
Gross unemployment, which is the sum of the completely unemployed and job seekers in the measures, was 138,800 people, or 4.9 percent of the workforce.
During January, the number of job seekers has increased once again, after a decrease in December. Much of the increase is due to natural seasonal variations, with many employment contracts ending in December, says Director of Labor and Social Welfare Hans Christian Holte in a press release.
– Infection control measures in early January are also of great importance, as evidenced by the fact that laid off employees make up a large proportion of newly registered job applicants, it continues.
In the same month, a total of 201,400 fully unemployed, partially unemployed and job seekers registered for the measures in Nav. It constitutes 7.1 percent of the workforce.
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– A real jump
A significant rise in unemployment was expected in advance from December, according to DNB Markets. At that time, the proportion of completely unemployed was recorded at 3.8 percent.
Since then, the government has introduced several strict measures to control the development of the infection. This includes the closure of all shopping centers and most stores in 25 municipalities in eastern Norway.
The government has also introduced the strictest entry rules since March 12.
We will only see how important the closing was on Tuesday when the figures for the current week are ready, Holte emphasizes in Nav. The reason is that today’s figures were taken on the morning of January 26.
– There was a real jump in unemployment from December (3.8 percent) to January (4.4 percent). Nav rightly points out that much of the increase is due to seasonal variations, DNB Markets chief economist Kjersti Haugland tells E24.
– The real jump, the deterioration of the labor market, is therefore a bit difficult to quantify, he continues.
– A growing trend
The chief economist emphasizes that unemployment will be higher in the next survey.
– The deterioration is not as great as this jump suggests. But we must keep in mind that part of it is real. And that unemployment will be higher at the next crossroads when measured.
– We are on an upward trend now beyond seasonal variations as measures have been strengthened. Although it does not apply to the entire country, a large part of the economy has been affected.
However, Haugland doesn’t expect it to be as bad as this spring.
– In March 2020, unemployment rose to 10.4 percent. There is no reason to expect that history to repeat itself. Although there have been a number of negative news and measures recently, the measures are not as intrusive as they were last spring.
– Despite the bad news about vaccine delays, mutations and new restrictions, we have a vaccine launch that we hope will go its own way. In the summer or fall, we will probably see restrictions lifted, which will be the basis for a financial rebound and a decline in unemployment.
Greater increase in tourism
The number of completely unemployed has increased in all occupational groups from December to January.
If measured by the number of people, the increase is greater in tourism and transport. There were 4,100 more unemployed here than in December.
Store and sales work remains on the list, with 3,800 more fully vacant. Behind are the service professions and other jobs, with 2,200 more unemployed.
At the end of January, the share of unemployed in the workforce was highest in tourism and transportation with 13.5 percent, and lowest in education with 1.1 percent, Nav writes.
More unemployed youth
The proportion of completely unemployed has also increased in all age groups, but the increase is greatest among those under 30 years of age.
Unemployment was highest among 20-24 year olds with 6.3 percent, and lowest among those under 19 with 2.2 percent of the workforce.
At the same time, the number of partially unemployed has decreased in all age groups. Here, the decline is greatest among those under 30 years of age.
