A recent report revealed that the unemployment rate in the country has increased by 2.5% over the last year, bringing it to a total of 6.8%. This rise is attributed to the ongoing economic challenges facing the nation, which have resulted in 1.2 million people being out of work. Additionally, the study showed that the number of job vacancies has decreased by 10% compared to the previous year, indicating a tightening job market. The highest levels of unemployment were seen in the manufacturing and retail sectors, with 3.5% and 4.2% respectively. Experts predict that the job market is likely to remain competitive in the coming months as the economy continues to recover from the impact of the global pandemic.