THE number of people out of work in the island has risen again.
According to official government statistics, the number of unemployed in March rose to 1,208, an unemployment rate of 2.7 per cent.
In February, the figure was 1,181. In March 2012, the figure was 1,031.
The figure is the worst since August 1996.
There were a total of 221 new claimants over the month, while 194 claimants found work.
Of the total unemployed, 855 are men, while 353 are women. Over the month the male net total rose by six, while the female total rose 21.
Breaking the statistics down further, the number requiring work permits in March was nine, the number under 18 years of age was 56 and the number of claimants signing for credits only was 49, up from 24 a year ago.
People not included in the unemployment statistics include people under 18 who are registered at the careers office. They number 42.
The economic affairs division of the Treasury compiles the statistics.
It breaks down the figures to show what jobs the unemployed used to do.
There are 167 people who worked in the hotel/caterer/bar work category, 161 had a retail/wholesale/buyer background, 94 were unskilled construction workers and 88 had a clerical background.
Three were 39 who worked in insurance or banking administration, a drop from 46 in January.
There are 12 people from the ‘finance and accountancy’ category out of work.
Fourteen people with an education/teaching/nursery background are looking for work, while 18 people with a healthcare background are jobless.
Of those out of work, 159 have had no previous job.
The unemployment rate in the Isle of Man still compares favourably with most Western economies.
In the UK the rate is 7.8 per cent, in the Republic of Ireland it’s 14.4 per cent, in Spain 26.6 per cent, in Germany 5.4 per cent, in Greece 26.8 per cent, in the USA 7.8 per cent and in Guernsey 1.3 per cent.