Unemployment

If you want to develop your listening skills, try these tasks as you listen to the text. The answers are at the bottom of this page, after the Vocabulary and Focus on language. Thanks to Natasha Groves for preparing the tasks.

If you want to listen and read, just scroll down to the text.

1. Listening for main ideas

First, just listen to the text, taking notes if you wish. What information can you catch during this first listening?

2. Now listen again and answer the following questions:

  1. What happened to the unemployment rate between October and December 2024?
  2. How many people are unemployed now?
  3. How did the unemployment rate change for men? And for women?
  4. What effects has the economic recession had?
  5. What are some of the experiences people have had while looking for a job?

Text

Unemployment in New Zealand has risen to its highest level since 2020. Statistics New Zealand released the latest unemployment figure on Wednesday. It rose to 5.1 percent of the working age population in the December quarter (that is, the three months between October and December 2024), up from 4.8 percent in the September quarter (July to September). There are now 156,000 people who are unemployed.

The unemployment rate for men was 4.9 percent in the December quarter, compared with 4.7 percent in the September quarter. For women, it was 5.2 percent, compared with 5.0 percent.

Māori and Pacific unemployment rose markedly, to 9.2 percent and 9.6 percent respectively.

Salary and wage rates increased 3.3 percent in the year to December 2024, down from 3.8 percent in the year to September.

The rise in unemployment was expected by economists, because of the economic recession. Many businesses and the government made staff redundant or stopped hiring new staff last year. About 32,000 jobs were lost in 2024. Of those, 85 percent were men. In particular, three groups of job were affected: technicians and trades workers, clerical and administrative workers, and machinery operators and drivers. However, the number of community and personal service workers increased.

It has been reported that some people who are looking for work are applying for many jobs. One woman said she has applied for about 400 jobs in the past year. Others say that they apply for many jobs before they get an interview. Sometimes they do not hear back about a job application, even to say they were not successful. This may be because so many people apply, so the employer cannot reply to every applicant.

Economists think that the high rate of unemployment may continue until the second half of this year.

If you want to learn more about the economic recession, listen to the story from 23 December 2024.

Vocabulary

markedly – in a way that is very easy to notice

recession – a difficult time when there is less trade and business activity in a country than usual

trades workers – people who work in trades, such as electricians, plumbers, and carpenters

clerical workers – people who work in offices, such as administrative assistants, receptionists, and data entry clerk

Language focus: Describing trends

Now listen to the following part of the recording again and fill in the gaps. Then read the text to check your answers.

The unemployment rate for men _____________ 4.9 percent in the December quarter, _____________  _____________ 4.7 percent in the September quarter. For women, it _____________ 5.2 percent, _____________  ___________ 5.0 percent. Māori and Pacific unemployment _____________  _____________, to 9.2 percent and 9.6 percent _____________. Salary and wage rates _____________ 3.3 percent in the year to December 2024, _____________  _____________ 3.8 percent in the year to September.

Answers

a. What happened to the unemployment rate between October and December 2024?

    It rose to 5.1% (from 4.8% from July to September)

    b. How many people are unemployed now?

    156,000

    c. How did the unemployment rate change for men? And for women?

    Men: 4.9% (December quarter), up from 4.7% (September quarter)

    Women: 5.2% (December quarter), up from 5.0% (September quarter)

    d. What effects has the economic recession had?

    Many businesses and the government made staff redundant or stopped hiring new staff last year. About 32,000 jobs were lost in 2024.

    e. What are some of the experiences people have had while looking for a job?

    Some people are applying for many jobs (one woman has applied for about 400).

    Some apply for many jobs before getting an interview.

    Some don’t hear back about a job application.