This rate recorded a sharp increase in both rural and urban areas, going from 3% to 7.2% and from 11.7% to 15.6% respectively, said the HCP in an information note on the labor market situation in Q2-2020, showing a decline in activity and employment rates, stressing that the last time the unemployment rate exceeded 12% dates back to the second quarter of 2001.

It also posted a clear increase among men to 11.3%, women to 15.6% and young people aged 15 to 24 to 33.4%, added the same source.

In addition, the HCP reported that the number of unemployed people increased by 496,000 between the second quarter of 2019 and that of 2020, from 981,000 to 1,477,000 unemployed people, which corresponds to an increase of 50.6%. This rise, resulting from an increase of 311,000 unemployed people in urban areas and 185,000 in rural areas, was recorded exclusively among those who had already worked.

The graduate unemployment rate, for its part, rose 3.7 points to 18.2%. This increase is more obvious among holders of certificates in vocational specialization (+11.7 points and a rate of 37%), diplomas and certificates of basic education (+4.6 points and a rate of 14.9% ) and professional training diplomas (+3.8 points and a rate of 20.3%).

The average duration of unemployment fell from 38 months to 24 months between the second quarter of 2019 and that of 2020 (from 40 months to 27 months in urban areas and from 23 months to 15 months in rural areas), said the HCP, noting that the share of people unemployed for less than 4 months rose from 15.8% to 29.7% while that of long-term unemployed individuals (one year or more) fell by 70.4% at 50.6%.

The share of people unemployed due to dismissal or the cessation of the establishment's activity stood at 40.1% against 25.3% a year earlier. It peaks at 76.5% among people who have been unemployed for less than 4 months.