RAMALLAH, April 30, 2013 (WAFA) - The participation rate in the labor force of persons aged 15 years and above in Palestine was 44% distributed as 69% for males and 17% for females, Wednesday  said the Palestinian central Bureau of statistics (PCBS) on the occasion of International Workers Day.

On the level of the West Bank, the participation rate was 45%; 71% for males compared to 18% for females. Regarding Gaza Strip, about 41% of persons participated in the labor force; 66% for males and 16% for females.

The unemployment rate among participants aged 15 years and above in Palestine was 23% (About 270 thousand persons were unemployed); 21% for males and 35% for females. 

The unemployment rate in the West Bank was 19% (about 141 thousand); 17% for males and 26% for females, compared with 33% in Gaza Strip (129 thousand); 28% for males and 53% for females.

The number of wage employees in Palestine amounted to 602 thousand, of whom 312 thousand employed in the West Bank and 196 thousand employed in Gaza Strip; while 76 thousand employed in Israel and 18 thousand employed in Israeli settlement.

About 22% of wage employees are poor in Palestine in 2011; 16% in the West Bank and 35% in Gaza Strip.

About 24% of wage employees work as professionals or technicians in Palestine; 15% for males and 67% for females. In addition, 19% of wage employees in Palestine work in craft occupations; 22% for males and 4% for females.

T.R.