Statistics released today by the Institute of Employment and Vocational Training (IEFP) show 79,291 new unemployment registrations during the month of October, 4.7% more than in October last year.
Although this is a decline compared to September this year when 80,176 newly unemployed were registered, the figures are rather too close to the 80,462 new signees in September 2011 which broke an unenviable 13 year record.
Despite the increase in new registrations the overall figure for those registered as unemployed at the end of October actually declined marginally by 0.3% compared to September.
This reduction in the unemployed may be the result of improved economic prospects in the third quarter as Portugal's GDP did grow slightly, by 0.2 %, compared with the previous quarter.
There has been an increase in jobs advertised and for job placements. In October employment centers received 14,947 job notices, 62% more than last year as employers gear up for the expected slow resurgence of consumer spending.
Areas with jobs growth are in real estate, administrative and support services, the wholesale and retail trade, public administration, education, health and social care, food services, and construction.
The Government expects the unemployment rate for 2014 to reach 17.7%, less than Spain but less than ideal as the figures are aided by the tens of thousands that have left the country to seek work overseas.
