According to the research conducted by the Federal Statistical Service on the socio-economic development of Russian regions in 2006, the number of the unemployed registered with Sverdlovsk Region placement service went down 10.3% (against December 2005) at the end of December 2006 and amounted to 35,600 people. Sverdlovsk Region has the lowest unemployment rate (less than 1.5%) compared to the other regions of Ural Federal District. 31,800 people are currently on the dole, which is 10.4% less than in 2005.