Chief Economist CreditorWatch Economics Monthly Economic Update News
2 mins read

Uptick in unemployment gives RBA cause for December rate hold

Despite a solid increase in the number of employed people over October, the unemployment rate still ticked up from 3.6 per cent to 3.7 per cent given the increase in unemployed people.

Total employment over the year has increased by 3.0 per cent, however the number of unemployed people has increased by 13.2 per cent, meaning the lack of available workers that has been a feature of the economy since the end of lockdowns is now starting to be less of a problem for employers. The increase in unemployment, despite good gains in employment numbers, can be attributed to population growth, increasing the pool of available people of working age population.

Today’s data provides further evidence of continued weakening in the economy, and while this weakening is happening slowly, the unemployment rate gives the RBA very little reason to increase the cash rate further at the last board meeting of the year in December.

Chief Economist economic insight economic outlook economist economy news unemployment unemployment rate
Anneke Thompson
Anneke Thompson
Chief Economist, CreditorWatch
Anneke joined CreditorWatch as Chief Economist in April 2022. She is a specialist researcher and commentator on issues impacting the credit industry, SMEs and the broader economy, conducting regular presentations to corporate groups. She is also a media spokesperson for CreditorWatch, regularly appearing on national television and in syndicated media. Anneke is also the Managing Director of Clio Research and formerly the National Director and National Head of Research at Colliers International Australia. She has also worked at NAB and Jones Lang LaSalle.
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