Since 2010 The National Institute of Statistics and Census (INEC), has measured the employment conditions of in the country and recently released the 3rd quarter of 2012 findings. If this period is compared to the same quarter of 2011 we can get an idea of the evolution of employment in 2012.
The supply of labor or workforce rose sharply in 2012. In 2012 the labor supply increased by 71,000 persons compared 40,000 people in 2011.
Despite this increased pressure on labor supply, the unemployment rate declined. In 2012 the unemployment rate was 9.8 percent of the labor force, while in 2011 had been the 10.4.
Unemployment fell because of increased new jobs “creation”. In 2012 77,600 new jobs were created. In 2011 the corresponding figures was only 10,000.
So far the figures suggest only good news. Unfortunately, when the figures are examined in detail, there is a deterioration in the quality of jobs created.
In 2012 highly qualified employment decreased by 65,000 places. According to INEC, employing highly skilled jobs are senior level of government and business, professional, scientific and intellectual, technical and professional level.
The main increase was the number of employees working on their own. This is not a definitive indicator of poor job quality, but the suspicion of an expansion of informal employment.
In conclusion, if we stay with the overall figures for employment and unemployment from 2012 was a positive development in the labor market. However, when we examine the quality of work, we see deterioration in employment conditions.
The Costa Rica news (TCRN)
San Jose Costa Rica
