Unemployment in Bulgaria stood at 7.29 per cent in June, 0.21 per cent up from May, the Employment Agency said. The monthly average since the beginning of the year was below 7 - 6.91 per cent.

The jobless registered at the employment offices were 270,136, up by 8,039 from the previous month, which made 11 jobless for every vacancy on the average - the same as in May.

A total of 19,413 vacancies were announced in Labour Offices in June, by 2,653 more compared with May.

As at June 30 there were a total of 7,111 unfilled vacancies, the greatest share of which, 5,919, on the primary labour market. The rate of filling of vacancies was higher than in June 2008 when a total of 13,400 jobs remained vacant, of which 11,900 on the primary labour market.

The lowest unemployment rate was reported in Sofia, 1.70 per cent, and seven other regions. The highest unemployment rate was in the region of Smolyan, Southwestern Bulgaria, 13.55, followed by Turgovishte, 13.45 per cent.

Source: BTA