7 Sep 2009 14:37

Official unemployment rate on decline in Russia

RUSSIA-UNEMPLOYMENT-RATE

Official unemployment rate on decline in Russia

MOSCOW. Sept 7 (Interfax) - The official unemployment rate in Russia has reduced to 2.11 million, the Health and Social Development Ministry said on Monday with the reference to regional monitoring.

"The number of unemployed citizens registered at job centers had reduced to 2.11 million by September 2, 2009 [0.7%]," the ministry said.

The unemployment rate is on decline in the majority of Russian regions. "Over the past week, the unemployment rate reduced in 64 regions, including the Lipetsk region, North Ossetia - Alania, Mordovia, Chuvashia and the Ulyanovsk region," the ministry said.

Meanwhile, unemployment grew in 13 regions, including the Kirov region, the Khabarovsk territory, the Altai republic and the Yamal-Nenets autonomous district.