The total number of unemployed may average between 7.6 million and 7.8 million people, compared with 4.8 million in 2008, the news service said, citing an unidentified government official familiar with the matter.
The ministry earlier predicted an average figure of 6 million unemployed this year, Interfax said. The new forecasts are yet to be coordinated with other government agencies.
The rate rose to 9.5 percent in March, as the number of jobless hit 7.1 million people, the State Statistics Service said April 20. The Health and Social Development said Tuesday that there were 2.26 million registered unemployed as of April 15.
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