The unemployment rate for the second quarter (Q2) of 2015 in the 15-64 age range fell to 12.7%, the Central Agency for Public Mobilization and Statistics (CAPMAS) announced in a report, Monday. These latest figures compare to the 12.8% register in Q1 of 2015, was and the figure of 13.3% registered during Q2 of 2014.

The number of unemployed individuals reached 3.5 million, marking 12.7% of the total labour force. This number has decreased by 25,000 compared to the previous quarter, and by 141,000 compared to the same quarter in 2014.

The labour force volume reached approximately 27.8 million, marking a 0.2% increase (or 66,000 individuals) compared to Q1 of 2015, and an increase by 212,000 person marking 0.8% for Q1 of 2014.

CAPMAS also showed that the unemployment rate amongst males recorded 9.3% in Q2 of 2015, whereas it reached 24.1% amongst females.

Moreover, unemployment in cities decreased to 14.9%, compared to 16% in both the previous quarter and the same quarter of2014. However, unemployment in rural areas has increased to record 11%, compared to 10.3% in each of Q1 of 2015 and Q2 of 2014.

Regarding northern governorates, unemployment has registered its highest rates by recording 15.8% while the lowest rates where registered in the urban areas of southern governorates at 10.9%.

The report has further elaborated that 83.2% of unemployed individuals in the 15-64 years age-range have completed secondary or higher education.

Regarding youth unemployment, it reached 26.6% among young people aged 15-29 years, of which 23.6% are aged in the 15-19 age group. Of this figure, 35.6% were aged between 20-24 years, and 18.5% were aged 25-29 years.

However, unemployment amidst educated young people marked 38.2% of the total labour force with the same age range, of which 44.6% held a university education or higher. Of this figure, 35.7% had achieved secondary education, and 33.6% held university or higher education.