The rate of unemployment in Chile fell during May to July 2010 to 8.3 per cent, new data reveal.

According to figures from the National Statistics Institute, the South American country saw joblessness drop from 8.5 per cent during the quarter to June.

A poll of analysts by Bloomberg indicated that the rate would remain unchanged over the month, but official data revealed a further slide from the 11.6 per cent reported in August 2009.

New jobs were generated in the transportation, communications, retail and manufacturing sectors, according to Dow Jones.

The workforce in Chile increased from 7.68 million during the previous three months to 7.73 million between April and June, 7.09 million of whom were in jobs.

Figures showing a further decline in unemployment have been welcomed by Chilean president Sebastian Pinera, who noted that 165,000 posts had been created during the first four months since he took office in March.

Posted by Lee Thrace