Bridgetown, Barbados, September 25, 2008: The Economic Affairs Division of the Ministry of Finance says the rate of unemployment at the end of June increased by 0.5%, compared with the same period last year.

The mid-year unemployment rate among males stood at 7.8%, up from the 7.1% recorded in 2007, while unemployment among females rose to 9.4%, compared with 9.1% a year earlier.

The government statement also puts the number of people working at 133-thousand, five hundred….an increase of 200 people in comparison with the end of June last year.

It’s estimated that there are just over 22,500 Barbadians unemployed, which is eight hundred more than last year..