The unemployment rate in August 2012 was 14.7 percent, unchanged from the latest July 2012 rate according to CSO figures, published today.

On a seasonally adjusted basis, the Live Register total recorded a monthly decrease of 2,000 in August 2012, bringing the seasonally adjusted total to 434,400. In unadjusted terms there were 456,256 people signing on the Live Register in August 2012. This represents an annual decrease of 13,457 or -2.9 percent.

The trend in the overall Live Register, according to the CSO, continues to be one of movement within a small range.

Additionally, the number of male claimants decreased by 10,228 (or -3.4 percent) to 286,625 over the year and female claimants decreased by 3,229 (or -1.9 percent) to 169,631 compared with a decrease of 3,098 (-1.0 percent) to 296,853 for males and an increase of 5,888 (+3.5 percent), to 172,860 for females in the year to August 2011.