According to the Observatory of the Economic and Social Situation of the School of Economics of the National University (UNA), more and more Costa Ricans are giving up in the search for a job.
The research “Situation of the Costa Rican labor market in the second quarter of 2016,” revealed that women and young people between 15 and 24 years old, are the most affected by unemployment.
The number of young people who neither work nor study is increasing and 172,136 youngsters are now in this condition; 29% are unemployed; 28.4% have family obligations; and 42.1% does nothing.
The reduction in employment is affecting almost all activities, except for the areas of trade, reparations, transport and storage. From the total of people who aren’t working (more than 1.600.000), 32% are young and 31% are over 60 years old.
In the private sector 112.505 jobs were lost and the public sector has also reduced the number of employees.
For the first time the Continuing Survey of Employment (ECE) shows a reduction in the workforce. Roxana Morales, research coordinator of the UNA, explained that this is due to a change in the economy that is growing but requires more qualified employees and better trained candidates.
Half of the working population has average jobs as administrative assistants, stores’ employees or providing direct services to people. They also work on agriculture, fisher craft, handicraft, construction, mechanics, graphic arts, skilled manufacturing and operating machines.
The average income of women is 5.8% lower than men’s. Moreover, the characteristics of the young people who are working are:
91% work as employees.
69% are men and 29% women.
73% come from urban areas.
61% of the young people who are working dropped out school.
Only 12% of them have highly skilled positions (as a manager in public administration, with high intellectual, professional, or scientific qualification).
32% work more than 48 hours a week.
40% of young unemployed people have an informal employment.