At the end of March, there were 324,616 unemployed people registered with employment services in mainland Portugal and the autonomous regions, 18,459 (6.0%) more than in the same month of the previous year, but 6,392 (1.9%) fewer than in February, according to the IEFP.

The overall year-on-year increase was contributed to by those registered for less than 12 months (19,204) at employment centres, those seeking a new job (17,029) and those with secondary education (16,365).

At regional level, in March, with the exception of the Azores (-11.0%) and Madeira (-20.3%), unemployment increased in year-on-year terms, with the most significant increase in the Algarve region (+14.4).

Compared to the previous month, the IEFP indicates that, with the exception of the Lisbon and Vale do Tejo region, "the trend is towards a reduction in unemployment, with the greatest variation occurring in the Algarve region (-18.5%)."

Considering the professional groups of the unemployed registered in mainland Portugal, the IEFP highlights "unskilled workers" (27.5%), "workers in personal services, security protection and sales" (20.3%), "administrative staff" (11.9%) and "specialists in intellectual and scientific activities" (10.2%).

Compared to the same month of the previous year, "there was an increase in unemployment in most professional groups, with particular emphasis on "plant and machine operators and assembly workers" (+11.8%) and "skilled workers in industry, construction and craftsmen" (9.7%).

The IEFP, in turn, highlights the reduction in unemployment among "farmers and skilled workers in agriculture, fishing and forestry" (-3.3%).

Throughout the month of March, 44,387 unemployed people registered with employment services throughout the country, 7.8% less than in the same period of the previous year and an 8.3% reduction compared to February.

Job offers received throughout the month totalled 11,087 throughout the country, a number 24.8% lower than in the same month of the previous year and 22.2% higher than in the previous month.

The economic activities with the greatest representation in the job offers received throughout March in mainland Portugal were "real estate, administrative and support services" (24.1%), "accommodation, catering and similar" (18.7%), "wholesale and retail trade" (11.2%) and "public administration, education, health and social support activities" (7.2%).

Placements made in March totalled 8,312 throughout the country, 8% less than in the same month of the previous year and 23.4% more in chain.

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