Unemployment hits 19% for Iran's college graduates

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region — The rate of unemployed of university graduates in Iran has reached 19 percent, Iranian officials announced on Wednesday.

According to a report released by the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs of Iran, the rate of unemployment among university graduates was among the highest level of joblessness in the country. 

“University graduates' unemployment make up 40 percent of the general unemployment rate that is 11 percent,” read the statement.   

Unemployed students mainly come from majors such as computer science, environmental and agricultural studies, said an Iranian official in local media.

“The government will face a big challenge in coming years if unemployment remains unsolved," said Kourosh Parand, deputy of training at the Ministry of Labor and Social, to reporters in Tehran. 

Parand added the amount of available jobs and the rate of university graduations are highly disproportionate. 

“Number of graduates is more than the work force demands,” he said.

Ministr of Labour and Social Ali Rabie said in a speech at Iranian parliament the number of unemployed Iranians will pass the 10 million mark within the next five years.   

Shahindokht Molaverdi, vice president for women and family affairs, blamed Iranian government policies as the main reason for under-representation of women in the labor force. She claimed that 47,000 Iranian women were fired while they were on maternity leave.

“Iranian government is reluctant to make job opportunities for women” said Molaverdi.