(RTTNews) - Friday, a report by Statistics Estonia said the jobless rate stood at 7.6% in the fourth quarter. The number of unemployed totaled 54,000.

The statistical agency said the unemployment rate remained within 4% in the first half of 2008, increased rapidly in the second half of the year and hit the highest level of the last three years in the fourth quarter.

During the quarter, there were 653,000 employed persons, 8,000 persons lower than in the third quarter. Compared to fourth quarter of 2007, the number of employed declined 0.2%.

In 2008, the jobless rate was 5.5% compared to 4.7% a year earlier. The report said the average unemployment rate, which had continuously declined between the years 2000 to 2007, rose in 2008.

Meanwhile, the annual average employment, rose 0.2% in 2008 from 2007.

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