In line with expectations the number of unemployed increased in December and reached 355,000 people. The rate of unemployment thus reached 6.0%. However, this is a regular December pattern and the rate is comparable with previous years. This can be partially explained by a drop in number of seasonal jobs, particularly in the construction sector which in turn caused the number of vacancies go down to 141,100. The drop came as early as November this year because of the early winter. And there is yet another reason for this trend: employment contracts end and jobs are changed often at the turn of the year. All in all, 2007 saw a significant unemployment decline. We believe that this trend will not continue into 2008 and the rate of unemployment should oscillate around 6 per cent on average. The labour market reaches its structural limits and the slow-down in economic growth is likely to result in fewer new jobs.