RAMALLAH, May 8, 2007, (WAFA)-Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics (PCBS) said that decreased of unemployed persons reached by 5.2% between 4th quarter 2006 and 1st quarter 2007 to reached 192,000 Unemployed Persons.

In a report on Labour Force Survey Results (January-March, 2007) Round, the first quarter 2007 , PCBS revealed that according to the ILO standards, the percentage of participants in labour force decreased by 4.2% between the 4th quarter 2006 and the 1st quarter 2007, where it decreased from 43.0% in the 4th quarter 2006 to 41.2% in the 1st quarter 2007, compared with 43.5% in the 3rd quarter 2000. Also the participation rate of women decreased from 17.5% in the 4th quarter 2006 to 15.2% in the 1st quarter 2007, the change rate is 13.1% (the number decreased by 24 thousand women).

The percentage of persons who don't work nevertheless seeking or not seeking job, decreased from 28.4% in the 4th quarter 2006 to 27.9% in the 1st quarter 2007, compared with 20.2% in the 3rd quarter 2000, it added.

"According to the ILO standards, The percentage of persons who don't work, but seeking job decreased from 22.0% in the 4th quarter 2006 to 21.6% in the 1st quarter 2007, compared with 10.0% in the 3rd quarter 2000 (before the beginning of Al-Aqsa Intifada). The results showed that unemployment rate in the West Bank increased from 16.2% in the 4th quarter 2006 to 17.3% in the 1st quarter 2007, while it noticeably decreased in Gaza Strip from 34.8% in the 4th quarter 2006 to 30.4% in the 1st quarter 2007, despite of that unemployment rate in Gaza Strip still high," PCBS said.

PCBS pointed out that the results showed that the highest percentage of unemployment concentrated among the youth at different stages, the highest percentage registered for the age group 20-24 it reached 35.0%, (thereof 26.8% in the West Bank and 48.1% in Gaza Strip), followed by 15-19 age group it reached 33.6%, thereof 26.3% in the West Bank and 49.8% in Gaza Strip, then 25-29 group, it reached 24.2%, (thereof 21.5% in the West Bank and 0 29.5% in Gaza Strip).

While the results showed that the lowest percentage of unemployment concentrated among females who not complete any years of schooling it reached 2.7%. Whereas the percentage reached 30.6% for those whom finished 13 years of schooling and above. While the lowest percentage among males registered for whom finished 13 years of schooling and above it reached 12.5% whereas the highest percentage registered for those who finished 1-6 years of schooling it reached 28.3%.

As for employed persons, the results showed a decrease in the number of employed persons between the 4th quarter 2006 and 1st quarter 2007, the number of employed persons reached 698 thousand compared with 718 thousand in the 4th quarter 2006 (the number in the West Bank decreased by 36 thousands, while it increased in Gaza Strip by 17 thousands, also the results showed an decreased of employed women from 156 thousands to 132 thousands between the 4th quarter 2006 and 1st quarter 2007.

"The results showed a tremendous changes in the economic activity1 percentage distribution employed persons at the Palestinian Territory level. A decrease in the percentage of those who are working in Agriculture sector in the West Bank from 26.2% to 16.2% and decrease in Gaza Strip from 14.1% to 13.2% between the 4th quarter 2006 and 1st quarter 2007, While it increased in the West Bank of those who are working in commerce, restaurant and hotels from 17.5% in 4th quarter 2006 to 21.4% in the 1st quarter 2007 (the change rate 22.3%). On the other hand the results showed that services and other branches sector reached 34.0% in the West Bank and 50.7% in Gaza Strip in the 1st quarter 2007, PCBS said.

PCBS revealed that the average value of the nominal daily net wage of the employees in the West Bank still at the same level 79.3 NIS in 4th quarter 2006 to 79.4 NIS in the 1st quarter 2007, compared with 70.3 NIS in the 3rd quarter 2000. Also the nominal daily net wage of the employees in Gaza Strip decreased slightly from 67.0 NIS in the 4th quarter 2006 to 66.9 NIS in the 1st quarter 2007, compared with 50.4 NIS in the 3rd quarter 2000. Also the nominal daily net wage for those working in Israel and settlements decreased from 130.6 NIS in the 4th quarter 2006 to 128.5 NIS in the 1st quarter 2007, compared with 110.8 NIS in the 3rd quarter 2000.

" The average of daily work hours increased in all regions in the Palestinian Territory between the 4th quarter 2006 and 1st quarter 2007, the average in the Palestinian Territory increased from 40.4 work hour to 41.9 work hour. In the West Bank the average increased from 41.5 work hour in the 4th quarter 2006 to 41.9 work hour in the 1st quarter 2007, and in Gaza Strip it increased from 37.7 work hour to 40.6 work hour in the same period, also in Israeli and Israeli settlements the average weekly work hours reached to 44.6 work hour compared with 42.4 work hour in the same period, "PCBS added.

PCBS concluded that he economic dependency ratio2 increased in the Palestinian Territory from 4.8 to 5.7 between the 3rd quarter 2000 and 1st quarter 2007 (the change rate is 18.8%). It increased in the West Bank from 4.3 to 5.0 (the increase rate is 16.3%), and increased sharply in Gaza Strip from 5.9 to 7.3 (the increase rate is 23.7%). The ratio in the West Bank and in Gaza Strip reached 4.6 and 7.9 in the 4th quarter 2006 respectively.

The survey sample of this round is based on the 1997 census (Updated on 2003), 7,552 households were selected to represent the Palestinian society of which 6,582 questionnaires were completed.

M.H.(11:25 P)(08:25 GMT)