At the end of October 2008 the registered unemployment rate (claimant count rate) dropped to 8.8%. Employment in the corporate sector was by 3.6% higher than in October 2007. Wages are still growing fast but the pace of growth has slowed. In October 2008 wages were higher by 9.8% than a year ago; in the 10 months to October they were higher by 11.1%.


Central Statistical Office (GUS): In October the situation on the labour market was still good: the registered unemployment rate dropped to 8.8% and jobs were on the rise (up by 3.6%), through the pace of growth was slower than in previous months. According to preliminary findings of the Labour Force Survey for the third quarter, the number of working people increased, the employment rate improved (up to 51.0%), the unemployment rate went down and the dependency ratio decreased. In October 2008, average gross monthly wages in nominal and real terms in the corporate sector grew at a slower pace year on year than in September and October 2007. The purchasing power of old-age and disability pensions grew at a similar rate as in September. (GUS, “Report on the Country’s Socio-Economic Situation,” October 2008, November 25, 2008, p. 4; www.stat.gov.pl)