The number of people out of work in the first half of 2002 rose 11,800 to 77,200, according to the Quarterly National Household Survey published today by the Central Statistics Office (CSO).
Although the 77,200 people unemployed in the second quarter of this year is an increase of 11,800 year-on-year, it is a decrease of 2,800 for the quarter.
The number of long-term unemployed has risen to 1,100 to 21,600.
The rate of unemployment stands at 4.2 per cent for the second quarter, down from 4.4 per cent on the first three months of the year but up half a point on the second quarter of last year.
The total number of people in employment in the State increased by 33,500 to 1,749,900 for the second quarter. The labour force has also increased by 45,100 to 1,827,000 in the second quarter.
The figures also show the average working week has fallen from 37.9 hours in 2001 and 38 hours in 2000 to 37.7 hours for the first half of the year.
