With economic activity slowing, labour markets were sluggish in 2012.
The unemployment rate remained low at 4.4 per cent in 2012, but youth unemployment was at 9.5 per cent.
Employment expanded only 0.5 per cent, or 4.5 million.
In 2012, only one in two workers was employed as a wage or salaried worker.
Labour productivity growth was 6.1 per cent in 2012 and projected to increase to 6.8 per cent in 2013.
Many workers have moved from low productivity sectors to more productive sectors, also during the crisis.
In addition to structural change, improvements in labour productivity in both the industry and services sectors have contributed significantly to growth and are expected to remain important contributors in 2011-17. (See 2nd chart below)
Mouse over the charts to see the values
-----------
