Mishal Al-Otaibi Saudi Gazette RIYADH – Deputy Labor Minister Dr. Mufarrij Al-Haqbani said the unemployment rate among Saudi males has dropped to 6.1 percent, the lowest in 13 years. He denied media reports that there was disparity between figures of the Ministry of Labor and what was published by the Statistics Department. Al-Haqbani said the Statistics Department is the only true source for determining the unemployment rate in the Kingdom. He added that the statement by Minister of Labor Adel Fakieh on the unemployment rate dropping is based on what was published by the Statistics Department in a manpower survey carried out in 1433H (2012). He added that the 12.2 percent figure mentioned by some analysts is also correct, as this figure is the rate of total unemployment for both Saudi males and females according to the manpower survey carried out by the Statistics Department in January 2012. Al-Haqbani said that the rate of unemployment among Saudi females negatively affects the overall unemployment rate among Saudi nationals. Hence, this necessitates more efforts to support job opportunities for Saudi women and increase their contribution to the development process. Al-Haqbani said the total unemployment rate for Saudis and non-Saudis is used for global comparison and some studies related to the labor market according to unified criteria and classifications for all countries. The rate of unemployment among Saudis is used for studying the labor market and preparing the economic and social plans as well as studies related to workers and their relationship with the education and training authorities.
