Unemployment rate down compared with the same period last year

Luxembourg’s unemployment rate rose to 5.4% in March, marking an “unusual” increase for the second month in a row.

“Normally, the seasonal fluctuations mean that the number of job seekers goes down from February to March,” the unemployment agency said.

The agency, Adem, said the jump in the rate from 5.2% in February could be down to new rules for low-income benefits.

Claimants for Revis – additional benefits for low-income households – must now register as jobseekers with the Adem to qualify for the support.

The unemployment rate was still down compared with the same period last year, when it stood at 5.7%.

The number of jobseekers reached 15,670 at the end of March, which represents a drop of 1.8% year-on-year. Employers posted 3,715 vacancies, also down 3.2% on March the previous year.