PUERTO RICO HERALD: May’s Unemployment Rate Up To 11.4%

The island’s unemployment rate edged up to 11.4% in May 2001, a 1.4% increase over May 2000’s 10% unemployment rate and the highest level in two years, according to the Puerto Rico Department of Labor and Human Resources. April 2001’s unemployment rate was 11.2%.

The rise in the unemployment rate came despite a drop in the participation rate. May 2001 participation rate was 45.4%, a 2.1% reduction over May 2000 participation rate of 47.5%, the report showed.

The number of unemployed persons for May 2001 was 148,000–14,000 more than May 2000, and 3,000 more than April 2001.

The number of employed persons for May 2001 was 1.15 million or 59,000 less than May 2000, when it was 1.21 million. In contrast, there were 1.28 million employed in April 2000.

Total estimated workforce for May 2001 was 1.29 million, a reduction of 45,000 when compared to 1.34 million of May 2000.

Of those out of the workforce, 54.4% were homemakers, 18% in school, 9.1% handicapped, 12.9% retired, and the remaining 5.6% corresponded to individuals classified as unmotivated, voluntarily lazy, and others.

Most of the unemployed (63%) have completed high school or some college education, while 46.5% are head of households, 12.2% spouses, and 33.8% siblings.

Of the people employed in May 2001, 27.6% were professionals, executives, or managers; 25.6% were technicians, salespeople, or administrative support personnel; 16.3% were service sector employees; and 14% were operators. The remaining 16.5% were artisans, foremen, agriculture, or general workers.

Total number of self-employed individuals for May 2001 was estimated at 153,000–a reduction of 14,000 jobs compared to May 2000 when the number was 167,000. Nonetheless, the number of self-employed individuals for May 2001 was 16,000 more with respect to April 2001’s total of 137,000.

Unemployment Rate — May
Year %

1997 13.5

1998 12.9

1999 11.0

2000 10.0

2001 11.4

Source: Puerto Rico Department of Labor and Human Resources

**Total Workforce — May**
Year	Total (In thousands)
1997	1,296
1998	1,324
1999	1,308
2000	1,344
2001	1,299
Source: Puerto Rico Department of Labor and Human Resources

**Total Jobs — May**
Year	Total (In thousands)
1997	1,120
1998	1,153
1999	1,165
2000	1,210
2001	1,151
Source: Puerto Rico Department of Labor and Human Resources

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CARIBBEAN BUSINESS

May’s Unemployment Rate Up To 11.4%

BY JOSE L. CARMONA