Australia’s unemployment rate has risen after the second consecutive monthly fall in seasonally adjusted employment.

According to labor force data for January published by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) on Thursday, the unemployment rate rose from 3.5 percent in December to 3.7 percent.

The number of unemployed people in Australia increased by 21,900 between December and January, with that of employment decreasing by around 11,000.

Economists had forecast that employment would rise, with the rate remaining steady at 3.5 percent.

Responding to the data, Treasurer Jim Chalmers said the figures were consistent with budget estimates and unemployment could continue to rise.

Source: The Namibian Press Agency