The unemployment rate in Bulgaria stood at 5.95% in July, the Bulgarian Employment Agency said. A total of 220,879 people are registered as unemployed with the labor offices, which is just 210 less than in June 2007.

16 areas have registered reduction of the unemployment rate in July, while 11 register a slight increase due to mass lay-offs from some companies and a rising number of newly registered unemployed teaches.

The labor offices all over the country have listed a total of 13,996 job openings, 2,646 less than in June.

An average of 9 unemployed individuals competed for one position in July, compared with 8 for the previous month.

12,826 unemployed individuals started work in July, down by 15.9% compared with June. 90% of the newly employed were assisted by the labor offices in finding their jobs.

2,650 unemployed persons are currently taking training courses.

The Employment Agency organized 199 such courses all over Bulgaria in July.