Rio, May 26, 2004 (Agência Brasil) - Women continue to display the highest unemployment rates in Brazil. In April, 2002, they accounted for 52.9% of the jobless; in April, 2003, 54.4%; and in April, 2004, their contingent rose to 56.3%. According to the Monthly Employment Survey, released yesterday (25) by the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE), young people under 24 complete the picture of the unemployed population in Brazil, since they represent 47% of those without jobs.

In terms of formal education, 43.1% of the jobless in April, 2004, had at least finished secondary school; in April, 2003, they accounted for 39.2%. The study also points out that, among the unemployed, 20% were looking for their first job, and only 26.3% were family breadwinners.

"The people who are currently seeking work are young people, women, and also those with 11 years or more of education, that is, the ones with the most schooling. This shows that the search for jobs is aimed at increasing family income, as the indicators reveal a drop in workers' incomes," affirmed the administrator in charge of the IBGE survey, Cimar Azeredo.

Reporter: Cristiane Ribeiro
Translator: David Silberstein