The employment rate reported for people aged 15 to 64 was 57.4 per cent in the last quarter of 2006 in Romania, as against the 70 per cent target laid down by the Lisbon Strategy for the year 2010, the National Statistics Institute (INS) announced yesterday, cited by Nine o'Clock.

According to the INS survey, the active population accounted for 62.1 per cent of the total population, whereas the employment rate reported in the same category was 57.4 per cent, a figure close to the one reported for the corresponding period of the previous year (57.3 per cent) but 3.5 per cent lower since the previous quarter, Mediafax reports.

The indicator had higher values for men (63.9 per cent, as against 51.0 per cent for women) and for inhabitants in rural communities (60.3 per cent as opposed to 55.5 per cent in the urban environment). The survey also indicates that 23.2 per cent of the young (15 to 24 years of age) were employed, and 39.1 per cent of the elderly (55 to 64 years of age).

The highest employment rate among citizens eligible for employment was reported for graduates from higher education institutions (84.6 per cent). According to the survey, the employment rate decreased proportionately to the education level: 62.7 per cent of the undergraduates were employed, and 39 per cent of those with low education levels.

Also, employees continue to account for the larger share (66 per cent) of the total employed population, with free lancers and unpaid household workers accounting for 32.4 per cent of the employed population in Q4, 2006.

Farmers and skilled workers in agriculture, forestry and fisheries accounted for 25.4 per cent of the total employed population, followed by craftsmen and skilled workers in the crafts sector.

The highest increase (34.7 per cent) in employment rates was reported for the real estate sector, rental and services provided to companies. The International Labour Organisation (ILO) unemployment rate was 7.2 per cent, i.e. 0.2 per cent higher than in the previous quarter. The ILO unemployment rate was the highest (21.5 per cent) among the young (15-24 years). With the young, the long-term unemployment rate reached 62.4 per cent. In Q4, 2006, Romania had an active population of 9,802,000 people, of which 9,095,000 employed and 707,000 ILO unemployed.