The unemployment rate is consistently higher than the already high national average, 27.8% vs. 24.6% respectively, and unequally distributed between population groups (see Figure 2.1.). A high proportion of discouraged workers, 7.8% of the labour force (90 795 people in 2009), have given up searching for employment. Agricultural and mining employment has dropped, reducing the availability of employment opportunities for the less or non-qualified job seekers.