Poland's unemployment rate soars to 14.2%

PanARMENIAN.Net - Official figures show Poland's unemployment rate rose to 14.2 percent in January from 13.4 percent in the previous month, AP said.

The figure, released Monday, February 25 by the Central Statistical Office, comes as the country is seeing a slowdown in its once-strong economy. Some job losses, however, are typical in winter, when work in agriculture and construction declines due to cold weather.

Other data released Monday gave a more positive signal about the economy, showing that retail sales rose by 3.1 percent year-on-year in January.

Poland's economy grew 2 percent last year and economists expect slightly weaker growth this year.