Unemployment claims rose 2.1%, in first quarter 2006 to an average of 73,094 a month, compared with a monthly average of 71,594 in the corresponding period of 2005, a net increase of 1,500 claims, according to an analysis of National Insurance Institute data by economic ministries in Jerusalem.
The number of unemployment claims was 3.7% higher in the first quarter compared with the fourth quarter of 2005. The number of unemployment claims was higher in each of the three months of the first quarter compared with the corresponding month of 2005: 5% more in January, 2.7% more in February, and 0.2% more in March.
It is not clear at this time whether the rise was temporary, or a change in trend. In 2003-05, there were fewer unemployment claims in each year, compared with the preceding year. The number of unemployment claims fell 25.4% in 2003, 14.5% in 2004, and 5% in 2005.
Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes.co.il - on April 25, 2006
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