6287.0 - Labour Force Characteristics of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians, Estimates from the Labour Force Survey, 2007 Quality Declaration 
ARCHIVED ISSUE Released at 11:30 AM (CANBERRA TIME) 22/05/2008   
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MEDIA RELEASE
May 22, 2008
Embargoed 11.30 am (AEST)
50/2008

Indigenous unemployment remains at 14%: ABS

The Indigenous unemployment rate has remained steady, according to a report released today by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS).

The unemployment rate for Indigenous people during 2007 was 14%, the same as 2006.

The labour force participation rate was 56%, down from 59% in 2006. The participation rate is the number of people in the labour force as a percentage of working age (15 and over) people.

There was a total of 158,000 Indigenous people over the age of 15 in employment, a decrease of 2,200 on the 2006 figure.

The number of Indigenous employed people as a percentage of the Indigenous population was 48%, down from 50% in 2006.

The lowest employment to population ratio (46%) was experienced in remote areas.

Further details are in Labour Force Characteristics of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians: Estimates from the Labour Force Survey, 2007 (cat. no. 6287.0) available for free download from the ABS website <www.abs.gov.au>.

Media note:
The small number of Indigenous people in the labour force survey, along with collection difficulties in remote areas means that there are statistical issues with the estimates. Media intending to undertake detailed reporting on the topic should read the explanatory notes in the publication.