A waitress serves dishes at a cafe in Canberra, Australia on July 18, 2025. Official data released on Thursday by the Australian Bureau of Statistics revealed that Australia's unemployment rate rose from 4.1 percent in May to 4.3 percent in June, the highest figure since November 2021. (Photo by Zhang Na/Xinhua)
CANBERRA, July 17 (Xinhua) -- Australia's unemployment rate rose to 4.3 percent in June, the highest level in almost four years, according to official data released on Thursday.
It marks the highest unemployment rate since November 2021 and the first time in 2025 that the figure has changed from 4.1 percent after five consecutive steady months, the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) said.
The Australian Associated Press reported that financial markets had expected unemployment to remain steady for a sixth consecutive month at 4.1 percent in June.
According to the ABS, employment rose by 2,000 people between May and June, but the number of unemployed people rose by 33,600 in the same period.
The number of Australians employed on a part-time basis grew by 40,000 between May and June, the ABS said, while full-time employment fell by 38,000 people.
As a result, the total number of hours worked by Australians was 0.9 percent lower in June than in May.
The participation rate, which measures the proportion of the working-age population who are either employed or actively looking for work, rose from 67.0 percent in May to 67.1 percent in June. ■
A cashier helps customer check out items at a supermarket in Canberra, Australia on July 18, 2025. Official data released on Thursday by the Australian Bureau of Statistics revealed that Australia's unemployment rate rose from 4.1 percent in May to 4.3 percent in June, the highest figure since November 2021. (Photo by Zhang Na/Xinhua)
A staff member assists customers with mailing services at a post office in Canberra, Australia on July 18, 2025. Official data released on Thursday by the Australian Bureau of Statistics revealed that Australia's unemployment rate rose from 4.1 percent in May to 4.3 percent in June, the highest figure since November 2021. (Photo by Zhang Na/Xinhua)
