The latest newsletter of the Employment and Vocational Training Institute of the National Government reveals that the number of unemployed registered at regional employment centres has dropped again. According to the Vice-President, the data confirm a "consistent and sustainable reduction."

"Over the past 11 months, the number of unemployed has been decreasing compared with the same of month of the previous year," said Sérgio Ávila.

The government official stressed that there were less 1519 registered unemployed, which represents a drop of 11.6 percent over the same month last year.

"We have been able to follow, over the past year, a consistent and progressive path towards the reduction in the number of unemployed," said Sérgio Ávila.

According to the Vice-President of the Government, it is even more important to note that, last month, the relative weight on unemployment was lower than the national average, taking into account that the Azores represent 2.3 percent of the national population and 1.9 percent of unemployed citizens. This shows that we are below the national average in terms of registered unemployed."

Sergio Avila considered the results achieved in the last year are an "incentive" for the Regional Government "to not only continue but also to strengthen" the efforts towards the reduction of the number of unemployed in the Region.

"We are significantly below the national average, but we face a challenge we want to win," the government official said, adding that the Government wants to extend the solution that helped 1,519 unemployed last year to those who are currently unemployed.

Sérgio Ávila reiterated that the Government of the Azores "will focus its attention on the accomplishment of goals and the achievement of positive results, which have benefited many Azoreans. As a result of this situation, the Azores are below the national average regarding the number of unemployed registered at regional employment centres."