There are now 200 Islanders who are classed as having been unemployed for 12 months or more – that figure includes 100 people who are “underemployed”, meaning that they want to work more hours or change their working situation.

The figures show that at the end of December, there were 1,390 people who were unemployed.

That number had improved on a weekly, quarterly and annual basis – the stats show that there were 70 fewer people unemployed compared to the end of November, 130 fewer than the quarterly average and 40 fewer than the same time the previous year.

The figures are around a third down on the unemployment peak in March 2013.

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The figures have been welcomed by Chief Minister Ian Gorst, who said: “These latest figures show a continuing downward trend in registered unemployment and provide encouraging indications for Jersey’s economy.”

The stats released by the Social Security department also show that:

– 52% of those unemployed were woman, and 48% were men.

– 78% were from Jersey or Britain.

– 14% had been unemployed for a year or more.