Highlights
1. Employment of Mauritians is estimated at 545,700 at the third quarter of 2019 compared to 536,800 at the third quarter of 2018 and 553,800 at the second quarter of 2019.
2. The unemployment rate for the third quarter of 2019 is estimated at 6.7%, lower than the rate of 6.9% at the third quarter 2018 but higher than the rate of 6.6% at the second quarter of 2019.
3. The main characteristics of the unemployed at the third quarter of 2019 were:
(i) The 39,300 unemployed comprised 15,500 males (39%) and 23,800 females (61%).
(ii) 16,400 or about 42% of the unemployed were aged below 25 years.
(iii) Around 23,600 (60%) of the unemployed were single. Among males, the majority (83%) was single compared to 45% among the females.
(iv) Some 4,200 or 11% had not reached the Certificate of Primary Education (CPE) level or equivalent and a further 14,900 (38%) did not have the Cambridge School Certificate (SC) or equivalent.
(v) 34,500 (88%) had been looking for work up to one year.
(vi) 11,000 (28%) were looking for a job for the first time.
(vii) 3,300 or 8% of the unemployed were heads of households.
(viii) 4,600 or 12% lived in households with no employed persons.
Forecast - Year 2019
4. Unemployment rate for 2019 is forecasted at 6.7% compared to 6.9% in 2018.
