Eight Million Unemployed In Russia

"At the end of April 2009, according to estimates, some 7.7 million people, or 10.2% of the economically active population, were classified as unemployed," Rosstat said.

Russia's labor service said of the 2.3 million people officially registered as out of work, 1.9 million were receiving unemployment benefit.

In an official forecast, Russia's Health and Social Development Ministry said unemployment would not exceed 2.2-2.8 million people in 2009.

By RIA Novosti