Invest
Unemployment rate at 5.1% after faster than expected recovery
Australia’s unemployment rate has fallen for the seventh consecutive month in a sign of economic recovery.
Unemployment rate at 5.1% after faster than expected recovery
Australia’s unemployment rate has fallen for the seventh consecutive month in a sign of economic recovery.
In the latest data released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics, it has been revealed that Australia’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate fell to a low of 5.1 per cent in May.
Building on seven months of consecutive reductions, the move has put the unemployment rate in line with levels last seen in February 2020.
Bjorn Jarvis, head of labour statistics at the ABS, said, “The number of unemployed people fell by 53,000 in May, down to 701,000. The number of unemployed people has fallen by around 303,000 since the peak of 1 million unemployed people in July 2020.”
In April, ABS estimates put the unemployment rate at 5.3 per cent.
Meanwhile, the youth unemployment rate increased by 0.1 per cent to 10.7 per cent overall. Despite the upward trend, the ABS said that youth unemployment remained at record lows.
“The last time we saw a youth unemployment rate as low as in April and May 2021 was in January 2009,” Mr Jarvis said.
Underemployment also decreased by 0.3 per cent to 7.4 per cent.
According to the ABS, this represents the lowest level of underemployment since January 2014.
They noted that between April and May 2021, overall hours worked increased by 1.4 per cent in seasonally adjusted terms.
At a press conference, Treasurer Josh Frydenberg took credit for the recovery.
“These numbers are ahead of our budget expectations,” he said.
“What these numbers should do is give Australians confidence that there is light at the end of the tunnel. These numbers should give Australians confidence that the Morrison government’s economic plan is working.”
His confidence was echoed by Reserve Bank of Australia governor Philip Lowe.
Speaking at the Australian Farm Institute Conference in Towoomba, Mr Lowe commented on the unemployment rate and predicted that it will fall to 4.5 per cent by 2022.
“For the first time in many decades, unemployment in regional Australia is noticeably lower than it is in the capital cities. There is still a lot of variation across regions, but the average unemployment rate for regional Australia as a whole is at its lowest level in more than a decade.”
“The recovery here has been much stronger than was anticipated,” Mr Lowe said.
“The labour market is uneven, though. Many people are still struggling to find work, while, at the same time, some firms are reporting that they are finding it difficult to find workers. Many of these reports come from businesses in regional Australia, including those in the agricultural, hospitality, mining and construction sectors.”
RELATED ARTICLES
About the author
About the author
Economy
RBA's hawkish stance reflects inflation concerns, State Street economist comments
In a recent statement, the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) has signaled a hawkish stance on interest rates, drawing insights from financial experts about the implications for Australia's economic ...Read more
Economy
Navigating the inflation maze: How CFOs can outsmart economic hurdles in Australia
Fresh inflation data have cooled expectations of near-term rate cuts in Australia, intensifying pressure on margins, capital allocation and demand. Rather than wait for monetary relief that may not ...Read more
Economy
Inflation concerns rise as Australia's CPI climbs to 3.8% in October
Australia's latest Consumer Price Index (CPI) figures have sent ripples through the economy, with headline inflation accelerating to 3.8% year-on-year in October, up from 3.6% in September. The data, ...Read more
Economy
October CPI results pose challenges for RBA’s monetary policy stance
In a surprising turn of events, the October Consumer Price Index (CPI) data has raised eyebrows among economists and market strategists, revealing stronger-than-expected inflationary pressures in ...Read more
Economy
Global deal activity declines by 6% amid economic uncertainty, reports GlobalData
In a year characterised by economic turbulence and evolving market conditions, global deal activity has witnessed a notable downturn during the first ten months of 2025. According to GlobalData, a ...Read more
Economy
Australia’s softening labour market puts another RBA cut in play — here’s what business should do now
A four-year high in unemployment has revived expectations the Reserve Bank could deliver another rate cut as soon as November. With quarterly GDP growth running at 0.6 per cent and annual growth at ...Read more
Economy
Rising CPI reinforces RBA’s stance as rate cut expectations remain: State Street
State Street Global Advisors says the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) is likely to hold its current policy outlook following the release of September quarter inflation data, which showed an unexpected ...Read more
Economy
NSW SES boosts tsunami preparedness ahead of World Tsunami Awareness Day
As World Tsunami Awareness Day approaches on 5 November, the New South Wales State Emergency Service (NSW SES) is ramping up efforts to enhance tsunami preparedness along the east coastRead more
Economy
RBA's hawkish stance reflects inflation concerns, State Street economist comments
In a recent statement, the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) has signaled a hawkish stance on interest rates, drawing insights from financial experts about the implications for Australia's economic ...Read more
Economy
Navigating the inflation maze: How CFOs can outsmart economic hurdles in Australia
Fresh inflation data have cooled expectations of near-term rate cuts in Australia, intensifying pressure on margins, capital allocation and demand. Rather than wait for monetary relief that may not ...Read more
Economy
Inflation concerns rise as Australia's CPI climbs to 3.8% in October
Australia's latest Consumer Price Index (CPI) figures have sent ripples through the economy, with headline inflation accelerating to 3.8% year-on-year in October, up from 3.6% in September. The data, ...Read more
Economy
October CPI results pose challenges for RBA’s monetary policy stance
In a surprising turn of events, the October Consumer Price Index (CPI) data has raised eyebrows among economists and market strategists, revealing stronger-than-expected inflationary pressures in ...Read more
Economy
Global deal activity declines by 6% amid economic uncertainty, reports GlobalData
In a year characterised by economic turbulence and evolving market conditions, global deal activity has witnessed a notable downturn during the first ten months of 2025. According to GlobalData, a ...Read more
Economy
Australia’s softening labour market puts another RBA cut in play — here’s what business should do now
A four-year high in unemployment has revived expectations the Reserve Bank could deliver another rate cut as soon as November. With quarterly GDP growth running at 0.6 per cent and annual growth at ...Read more
Economy
Rising CPI reinforces RBA’s stance as rate cut expectations remain: State Street
State Street Global Advisors says the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) is likely to hold its current policy outlook following the release of September quarter inflation data, which showed an unexpected ...Read more
Economy
NSW SES boosts tsunami preparedness ahead of World Tsunami Awareness Day
As World Tsunami Awareness Day approaches on 5 November, the New South Wales State Emergency Service (NSW SES) is ramping up efforts to enhance tsunami preparedness along the east coastRead more
