The monthly increase over the last three months averaged 19 thousand and was strongest in men. On average, 13 thousand men became unemployed each month. Female unemployment grew by nearly 7 thousand each month.
With 380 thousand, the number of current WW benefits hardly changed in April relative to March. The amount of benefits granted to under-25s declined by 4 percent, but the number of recipients in the over-55 age bracket increased by 1.4 percent in April compared to March.
Just as in March, the number of benefits declined notably in sectors sensitive to seasonal variation, like agriculture (-11 percent) and construction (-7 percent). The amount of benefits increased further in the sectors trade, health care, manufacturing industry and transport/storage.
More than 45 thousand new unemployment benefits were granted in April and nearly 46 thousand were terminated; 23 thousand benefits were terminated due to resumption of work, i.e. 5 percent more than in March and 13 percent more than in April last year.