The National Bureau of Statistics, NBS, said on Monday night that the number of unemployed Nigerians rose from 11.19 million as at the end of the third quarter of 2016 to 11.55 million in the fourth quarter of 2016.
Youth within the age bracket of 15 -24 and 25-34 have the bulk of unemployment rate in the country.
In a new unemployment report released on Monday night, NBS said during the period, the unemployment rate rose from 13.9 per cent to 14.2 per cent.
Unemployment rate was highest for those within the ages of 15 to 24 rising from 25 per cent to 25.2 per cent.
The report shows that in the age group of 25 to 34, the unemployment rate has increased from 15 per cent to 15.4 per cent.
The report added that unemployment and underemployment were higher for women than men in the fourth quarter of 2016.
While 16.3 per cent of women in the labour force were unemployed as at the end of the fourth quarter of 2016, 12. 3 percent of males were unemployed.
“The economically active population increased from 108.03 million to 108.59 million, this represents a 0.5 percent increase over the previous quarter and a 3.4 per cent increase when compared to fourth quarter 2015,” it said.
