The unemployment rate in Australia came in at 5.2 percent for February, the Australian Bureau of Statistics said on Thursday, marking its highest level since March 2005. That was higher than analyst expectations for a 5.0 percent increase after the 4.8 percent gain in January.
The number of employed persons jumped by 1,800, the data showed, defying forecasts that predicted a decline of 20,000. Full-time employment dropped by 53,800 persons to 7.66 million, while part-time workers gained 55,600 to 3.15 million.
The participation rate came in at 65.5 percent - slightly higher than the 65.0 percent forecast after the 65.1 percent rate in January.
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