IMPROVING LIVES THROUGH DATA ECOSYSTEMS

The unemployment rate in September 2004 was 26,2% as compared to 27,9% in March 2004. The decrease is statistically significant. In September 2004, 11 643 000 persons were employed as compared to 11 392 000 persons in March 2004. However, this change was not statistically significant. The increase in employment has largely been in construction at 25% and in trade at 8%. The number of unemployed people at 4,1million in September 2004, based on the official definition, slightly declined compared with 4.4 million in March 2004. Black women continue to be the most affected by unemployment, more than seven times than white males.