The National Bureau of Statistics, NBS, has stated that about 574,498 Nigerians joined the labour market in the second quarter of this year. The information is contained in the second quarter unemployment/underemployment report. According to the NBS, while these persons (within the ages of 15 and 64) increased from 102.8 million in the first quarter to 103.5 million in the second quarter, the labour force population (those within the working age) increased to 74 million from 73.4 million in the first quarter. It said the 574,498 new entrants represented an increase of 0.81 per cent.

Worrisome also is the fact that NBS said the total number of people in full employment decreased by 1,317,700, attributing the decrease to either job losses or the fact that the previously fully employed persons chose or were forced to work on a part-time basis.

“In the Q2 2015, the labour force population (those within the working age population willing, able and actively looking for work) increased to 74.0 million from 73.4 million in the Q1 2015, representing an increase in the labour force by 0.81 per cent. This means 574,498 economically active persons within 1564 entered the labour force. That is, they were able and willing and actively looking for work between April 1 and June 30, 2015,” the report stated.