A Government Official Described the Unemployment Rate of Graduates as 'Decreasing'

The Deputy for Entrepreneurship Development and Employment of the Ministry of Labor claimed that the unemployment rate among university graduates has decreased from 13.8% to 11.4% over the past two years. This is while the wave of migration has increased during these years. Mahmoud Karimi Birarvand stated that there are about 2 million unemployed people in the country, of which 41% are university graduates. Solat Mortazavi, the Minister of Labor of the Islamic Republic, announced on January 12 that the unemployment rate among graduates and women is high. The claimed unemployment rate of 11% for graduates by the Ministry of Labor contrasts with the unemployment rate claimed by the Statistical Center, which was 7.6% on January 1. The unemployment rate indicates insufficient utilization of the available workforce. This indicator reflects the economy's inability to create jobs for those seeking employment, despite their availability and active job search. In other words, the unemployment rate is the percentage of the population willing to work but without jobs. Ebrahim Raisi, the President of the Islamic Republic, has consistently promised to create 'one million jobs per year' since mid-June 2021 and during the presidential campaign. The high actual unemployment rate in the country and the number of unemployed graduates have led to a lack of interest in studying certain fields, prompting the Islamic Republic to implement educational changes in universities. Accordingly, Qasem Omou Abedini, the Deputy for Education of the Ministry of Science, Research, and Technology, emphasized this summer that the resolutions of the Higher Education Expansion Council and the Supreme Planning Council will be widely implemented in 2023, and at least 20% of fields that lack demand and are not needed in provinces and regions will be removed from the admission program for 2023. Mohammad Ali Zolfi Gol, the Minister of Science, Research, and Technology of the Islamic Republic, also emphasized that the changes made are planned according to the directive of Ali Khamenei to ensure that student admissions are based on 'national priorities and needs.' The result of employment policies and educational policies in the Islamic Republic has practically led to an increasing tendency among students and graduates to migrate. Analysts believe that a significant portion of graduates have given up job searching due to their decision to migrate, which has resulted in a decrease in the unemployment rate in this sector. According to surveys, political, social restrictions, and economic problems are the main reasons for the migration of many, including educated individuals. Rising inflation and unemployment; the misery index has increased in 14 provinces of Iran. The former head of the Central Bank stated that inflation will not decrease next year. Fruitless job creation promises; 42% of the unemployed are higher education graduates. The aftershocks of the economic crisis on family foundations; 570 cases of dowry claims registered in one day. Workers' suicides in Iran; an economist says this is the most acute form of protest against the disorder. The livelihood crisis has reached a dangerous level; escaping poverty through suicide.