Cairo – Mubasher: Egypt’s unemployment rate declined to 7.3% in the third quarter (Q3) of 2020, recording a decrease of 2.3% from 9.6% in Q2-20 and a 0.5% drop from Q3-19.

The total number of employees registered 28.171 million in the July-September period, up by 5.6% from 26.689 million in the prior quarter, according to a statement by the Central Agency for Public Mobilization and Statistics (CAPMAS) on Sunday.

The fall in unemployment rate was ascribed to the return of business activities with the gradual lifting of the coronavirus (COVID-19) restrictions.

The urban labour force registered 12.429 million, while rural labour force reached 15.742 million.

Male employees amounted to 23.688 million, whereas female employees stood at 4.483 million.