Information from the Statistics and Census Service (DSEC) indicated that the unemployment rate for February-April 2012 was 2.0% and the underemployment rate was 0.8%, both remained unchanged from the previous period (January-March). Economically active population (labour force) was 345,000 and the labour force participation rate stood at 72.4%, with total employment decreasing by 1,600 over the previous period to 338,000. Analyzed by industry, employment of Hotels & Similar Activities saw increase, while that of Real Estate & Business Activities; Gaming; and Retail Trade registered decrease. Number of the unemployed held stable at 6,900, with 12.1% being fresh labour force entrants searching for their first job, down by 0.3 percentage point. In comparison with February-April 2011, the unemployment rate and the underemployment rate dropped by 0.7 and 0.6 percentage point respectively; meanwhile, the labour force participation rate rose by 0.8 percentage point.
