Thailand's unemployment rate dropped in the first quarter to its lowest level since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic, boosted by higher employment both in the agricultural and non-agricultural sectors, as the economy gradually recovers, reports The Bangkok Post, citing research from the National Economic and Social Development Council. The unemployment rate dropped to 1.53% in the first quarter of this year, or 610,000 jobless, from 1.64% in the fourth quarter of 2021, or 632,000 jobless, and 2.25%, or 871,000 jobless, in the third quarter of last year.

The rate was the lowest since the 1.03% recorded in the first quarter of 2020, before the economy was hit by the Covid-19 pandemic. The total workforce in the first quarter stood at 39.6 million, up 2.3% from 38.7 million in the same quarter of 2021. Of the total, 38.7 million were employed, up 3% from 37.5 million in 2020.