According to the latest figures published by the Statistical Service, as at the end of May 2001, the number of registered unemployed persons showed a slight decrease compared to the previous month, reaching 7.822 persons, equalling 2.5% of the active workforce of the country. From the total, 1.315 registered unemployed persons were from the trade sector, 1.478 from the manufacturing sector, 1.171 are retired public servants with the remainder from the transport, telecommunications, banking and insurance sectors.

Figures indicate that more than half of registered unemployed persons were out of work for between two weeks to three months and the majority for between fifteen days to six months. Only 7.4% were unemployed for more than one year.

Compared to May of last year, there is a reduction of 21.5% equalling 2.000 persons. Present levels of unemployment in Cyprus compare very favourably with those in European countries with the highest registering in Spain at 14.4%.