According to the Director of Cooperation, Labor and Social Welfare in the province of East Azerbaijan, the statistics of 2005 to 2012 show a steady rise in the province’s unemployment rate.
Mir Ahad Hosseini estimated that 164,093 people were jobless, consisting of 30,769 (18.7%) women, and 133,324 (81.3%) men.
“The employment rate in East Azerbaijan is 1,143,836 people, with 12.9% women and 87.1% men,” he said.
Hosseini added that the rate of unemployment among 15 to 24 year old youth in the province is 26.2%, which is 2% higher than the nationwide average.
The authority announced that there are 54 private employment agencies in the province, adding, “During 2013, 31,438 people including 75% men and 25% women were registered in such agencies.”
(ILNA state-run News Agency- Apr. 23, 2014)