Unemployment rose slightly in September, according to the latest figures from Romania's statistics institute (INS). The rate of unemployment stood 5.02 percent by the end of last month, 0.12 percent higher than at the end of August. The figures must not be confused with the data from EU statistics organization Eurostat, which uses a different methodology typically giving an unemployment rate of around 2 percent higher than the INS figures. The trends are the same however.

The slight rise in September suggests that unemployment may again be on an upward trend, but the rate is still below the first part of this year. In January and February this year the rate of unemployment stood at 5.37 percent, before dropping to 5.15 percent in March.

In total, 442,196 were registered unemployed in September – 2,214 more than in the previous month. More men than women were actively seeking work, with 5.22 percent unemployment among men and 4.75 percent among women, but both figures were up by approximately 0.2 percent on the previous month.

The most unemployed were in the 41 – 50 age range, while the least were in 25 to 30 age group. Across the country, the unemployment rates were highest in the Teleorman, Dolj, Vaslui and Mehedinţi counties, at around 9 percent. Unemployment fell in ten Romanian counties, with the biggest drop of 0.41 percent recorded in Covasna.

Liam Lever, liam@romania-insider.com