Jobless rate in Brunei jumped to 9.3%
Brunei’s unemployment rate rose to 9.3 per cent in 2017 from 6.9 per cent in 2014, latest available data from the Department of Statistics within Brunei’s Department of Economic Planning and Development (JPKE) showed, according to a report in The Scoop.
The total number of unemployed persons was 19,200, out of which 18,200 were locals. It also showed that there were 52.1 per cent jobless males, compared to 47.9 per cent unemployed women. Of the total, 28.4 per cent or 8,500 persons were youths aged between 15 and 24.
JPKE conducted its labour force survey in fall 2017 to update information on the size, structure, distribution and characteristics of the labour force, employment, unemployment and other economic characteristics of the population. The findings are used to assist in the planning, research, policy-making and management concerning the nation’s labour force.
According to the survey, more people are now working in the private sector compared to previous years. The number of locals employed in the private sector last year was 66,400 persons compared to 54,000 in 2014 — a 6.9 per cent increase, bringing the ratio of public to private sector employment to 40:60 in 2017.
Of the working population, 82.5 per cent worked in the services sector, while 16.1 per cent had jobs in the industry and 1.5 per cent in agriculture and fisheries.
Within the services sector, the share of those working in the public administration stood at a whopping 25 per cent, which makes the state administration the largest employer in Brunei. Another 14.7 per cent worked in wholesale and trade and 9.4 per cent in education, and the rest in professional and hospitality services.
Among other findings, the survey also highlighted labour underutilisation, which refers to the mismatch between labour supply and demand or unmet need for employment among the population and a drop in Brunei’s average monthly income.
It also showed that in 2017, Bruneians earned almost B$400 less than they did in 2014. Findings show that the average income per employed person stood at B$1,478, compared to B$1,874 in 2014.
[caption id="attachment_32371" align="alignleft" width="300"] Brunei stilt settlements in the Tamoi Tengah neighbourhood © Arno Maierbrugger[/caption] Brunei’s unemployment rate rose to 9.3 per cent in 2017 from 6.9 per cent in 2014, latest available data from the Department of Statistics within Brunei's Department of Economic Planning and Development (JPKE) showed, according to a report in The Scoop. The total number of unemployed persons was 19,200, out of which 18,200 were locals. It also showed that there were 52.1 per cent jobless males, compared to 47.9 per cent unemployed women. Of the total, 28.4 per cent or 8,500 persons were youths aged...
Brunei’s unemployment rate rose to 9.3 per cent in 2017 from 6.9 per cent in 2014, latest available data from the Department of Statistics within Brunei’s Department of Economic Planning and Development (JPKE) showed, according to a report in The Scoop.
The total number of unemployed persons was 19,200, out of which 18,200 were locals. It also showed that there were 52.1 per cent jobless males, compared to 47.9 per cent unemployed women. Of the total, 28.4 per cent or 8,500 persons were youths aged between 15 and 24.
JPKE conducted its labour force survey in fall 2017 to update information on the size, structure, distribution and characteristics of the labour force, employment, unemployment and other economic characteristics of the population. The findings are used to assist in the planning, research, policy-making and management concerning the nation’s labour force.
According to the survey, more people are now working in the private sector compared to previous years. The number of locals employed in the private sector last year was 66,400 persons compared to 54,000 in 2014 — a 6.9 per cent increase, bringing the ratio of public to private sector employment to 40:60 in 2017.
Of the working population, 82.5 per cent worked in the services sector, while 16.1 per cent had jobs in the industry and 1.5 per cent in agriculture and fisheries.
Within the services sector, the share of those working in the public administration stood at a whopping 25 per cent, which makes the state administration the largest employer in Brunei. Another 14.7 per cent worked in wholesale and trade and 9.4 per cent in education, and the rest in professional and hospitality services.
Among other findings, the survey also highlighted labour underutilisation, which refers to the mismatch between labour supply and demand or unmet need for employment among the population and a drop in Brunei’s average monthly income.
It also showed that in 2017, Bruneians earned almost B$400 less than they did in 2014. Findings show that the average income per employed person stood at B$1,478, compared to B$1,874 in 2014.
