Jobless rate expected to touch 9% this year

The unemployment rate is expected to rise from 5.8% in 2008 to about 9% in 2009, followed by a gradual easing to about 8.7% in 2010, according European Commission's autumn forecasts.

In its spring forecasts, EC expected the unemployment rate to grow to 8% in 2009 and then decline to 7.7% in 2010. EC data are calculated by the methodology of International Labor Bureau.

The National Prognosis Commission expects an unemployment rate of 7.6%, followed by decline to 6.2% in 2010, under the Romanian standards.Under ILB's standards, CNP sees a jobless rate of 8.4% in 2009 and 7.7% in 2010.