Unemployment surged by 32 per cent between December 2019 and December 2020, according to data released Thursday by the Statistical Service.

The number of persons registered as jobless at the end of December stood at 33,382 – or 8,097 more than in December 2019.

Most of the rise in joblessness occurred in the following areas: trade; construction, professional, scientific and technical activities; manufacturing; and education.

Seasonally adjusted, the data showed that in December 2020 there were 30,746 people out of a job, compared to 31,015 in November 2020.