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Online advertised vacancies rose 246,300 in March to 4,669,600, according to The Conference Board Help Wanted OnLine® (HWOL) Data Series. The March rise is the fourth consecutive monthly rise. The Supply/Demand rate stands at 2.9 unemployed for every vacancy; however, nationally there are still 8.4 million more unemployed than advertised vacancies.

In February 2012 compared with January 2012, the volume of retail trade decreased by 0.1% in the euro area (EA17) and by 0.4% in the EU27. In January retail trade rose by 1.1% and 0.9% respectively. In February 2012, compared with February 2011, the retail sales index fell by 2.1% in the euro area and by 1.1% in the EU27.

In February 2012, compared with January 2012, the industrial producer price index rose by 0.6% in the euro area (EA17) and by 0.8% in the EU27. In January prices increased by 0.8% and 0.6% respectively. In February 2012 compared with February 2011, industrial producer prices gained 3.6% in the euro area and 4.3% in the EU27.

The euro area (EA17) seasonally-adjusted unemployment rate was 10.8% in February 2012, compared with 10.7% in January. It was 10.0% in February 2011. The EU27 unemployment rate was 10.2% in February 2012, compared with 10.1% in January. It was 9.5% in February 2011.

On 1 January 2011, 41% of the population of the EU27 lived in urban regions, 35% in intermediate regions and 23% in rural regions. These figures, published by Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union, are based on a new urban/rural typology developed by the European Commission. This classification is carried out on NUTS 3 regions. The regions are classified as rural, intermediate or urban based on an analysis of population density and total population. A second dataset provides detailed statistics on the EU's main metropolitan areas, also based on NUTS 3 regions.

EU27 trade in goods with South Korea has grown over the last decade, but more rapidly for exports than for imports. While EU27 exports to South Korea almost doubled between 2000 and 2011, from 17 bn euro in 2000 to 32 bn in 2011, EU27 imports from South Korea grew only by a third, from 27 bn in 2000 to 36 bn in 2011, and remained below the peak of 2007. Since 2000, the EU27 has always recorded a trade deficit with South Korea. However this deficit has progressively fallen from 18 bn in 2006 to 4 bn in 2011.

In the EU27, 502 kg of municipal waste was generated per person in 2010, while 486 kg of municipal waste was treated per person. This municipal waste was treated in different ways: 38% was landfilled, 22% incinerated, 25% recycled and 15% composted.

The increasing use of computers in the work place has led to computer literacy being a necessity in a large majority of professions. A sound understanding and knowledge of computer applications and programs is becoming more and more important in working life. On the occasion of the e-skills week, which will take place from 26-30 March 2012, Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union, publishes data on university graduates in computing and computer skills of individuals. The European e-Skills week 2012 is a European campaign focused on raising the interest of young people in ICT (Information and Communication Technologies) as well as showing people how to get jobs and e-skills for life in the digital age.

In 2011, there were 301 000 asylum applicants registered in the EU27. It is estimated that around 90% of these were new applicants and around 10% were repeat applicants. In 2010, there were 259 000 asylum applicants. In 2011, the main countries of citizenship of these applicants were Afghanistan (28 000 or 9% of the total number of applicants), Russia (18 200 or 6%), Pakistan (15 700 or 5%), Iraq (15 200 or 5%) and Serbia (13 900 or 5%).

While the Republicans are still fighting it out for the nomination, President Obama remains out of the election fray and this may be helping his approval ratings hold steady. Just like last month, two in five Americans (40%) give the President positive ratings for the overall job he is doing while three in five (60%) give him negative ratings.