The registered unemployment rate was down to 12.4% for men and to 13.6% for women. It decreased the most in the 15-24 age group (from 29.1% to 28.3%), followed by the 55-59 age group (from 24.2% to 23.6%).

The rate was down in all statistical regions, the most in the north-eastern Pomurje (from 19.3% to 17.3%), which however still the highest rate in the country.

The lowest rate in May was recorded in the northern-western region of Gorenjsko (9.6%).

The number of active population was up by around 2,400 to 795,402, which is however 21,500 less than in May 2012. The number increased the most in construction (by around 800).

Compared to April, the number of employed people was up by 0.3% to 700,291, which is still 3.2% less than in May 2012. Self-employed accounted for 95,111, which is 0.3% more than in April and 1.4% more year-on-year.

A total of 118,576 persons were registered as unemployed in May, which is 2.3% less than in April and 11% more year-on-year.

The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) meanwhile published today its projections for 2014, according to which Slovenia will see a one-percentage point drop in unemployment rate to 10.2%.