PRINCIPAL LABOUR FORCE SERIES TREND ESTIMATES


EMPLOYED PERSONS

The trend estimate of employed persons rose from 8,419,200 in June 1997 to 9,056,500 in September 2000. The trend then fell slightly to 9,037,500 in December 2000, before generally rising to stand at a high of 10,454,500 in June 2007.

UNEMPLOYED PERSONS

The trend estimate of unemployed persons generally fell from 761,800 in June 1997 to 583,100 in September 2000, before rising to 681,400 in October 2001. The trend then fell to 531,900 in January 2005, remained relatively stable for 12 months, before falling to stand 468,500 in June 2007.

UNEMPLOYMENT RATE

The trend unemployment rate generally fell from 8.3% in June 1997 to 6.0% in September 2000. After rising to 7.0% in October 2001, the trend has generally fallen to stand at 4.3% in June 2007.