Russian production down, unemployment up
Russian unemployment rose by nearly one third in 2009, according to Russian Statistics. Production fell more than 10 percent in the same period, Russian Minister of Trade and Industry Viktor Khristenko says.
The average annual unemployment rate in Russia rose by nearly one third (1.6 million persons) in 2009 compared with 2008, newspaper Vedomosti writes.
The highest level was registered in February with 7.2 million people. In December 6.17 or 8.2 percent of the economic active part of the population was unemployed.
Russian production fell 10.8 percent in 2009, says Russian Minister of Trade and Industry Viktor Khristenko according to news agency ITAR-TASS. This fall is similar to trends in the rest of Europe, the minister says.
