The unemployment rate registered in late 2011 shows a climb of one percentage point, reaching 14.4%, according to the State Employment Agency (SEA) data.

During the past three months the unemployment rate has remained more or less flat with slight fluctuations, but around 14.3% after hitting 17.3% in March.

Currently the registered figure shows there are 163 901 jobless persons in Latvia. Compared to December 31, 2010, the number has surged 1438 persons.

Riga region still reports a comparatively lower unemployment rate – 11%, while the highest one is recorded in Latgale region – 22.5%, followed by Vidzeme region with 16.4%, and a similar one in Zemgale and Kurzeme – 16.1% and 15.9% respectively.

The unemployment rate in the biggest cities of Latvia is the following: Riga – 9.9%, Jelgava – 11%, Ventspils – 12.2%, Daugavpils – 12.3%, Jurmala – 13.6%, Liepaja – 16.5%, Rezekne – 23%. Liepaja is the only one showing a drop of one percentage point.

48 903 people took part in the SEA’s organized job seekers support programmes in December 2010, including raising competitiveness programmes – 22 999, including non-formal education – 10 095; vocational training, re-qualification or qualification raising – 2 767; programmes for certain groups of people (state co-financed employment) – 1 994; support activities and programmes – 3 283; training in job skills acquisition and maintenance, with the municipality as the employer (internship in a local authority) – 16 737.

Lifelong learning activities for employed persons (according to voucher system) were taken up by 1 543 persons in December. Career advice was provided to 7 088 persons, out of which 4 431 were unemployed and seeking for a job.

The SEA offered 2 259 job openings in late December.