imageSTOCKHOLM: Sweden's unemployment rate as measured by the number of registered jobless fell to 7.5 percent in April compared to 7.8 percent in March, a Reuters calculation based on data from the Swedish Public Employment Service (SPES) showed on Monday.

The relatively big fall is likely due to normally lower unemployment at the beginning of the year, with May having the seasonally lowest unemployment rate.

SPES, which publishes weekly unemployment data as well as monthly gauges, will release its official April figure on May 12. Reuters has calculated the monthly figure based on the weekly statistics released by the agency.

Open unemployment, which excludes government job schemes, fell to 3.8 percent in April from 4.0 percent in March, according to the calculation.

The reported figures from SPES could deviate marginally from the calculation, as the official numbers are based on the last day of April which SPES will not report figures for in advance.

SPES bases its measure on the number of job seekers who register with the labour board.

The statistics office releases a separate measure of joblessness, which is based on a survey. Its jobless report for April is due on May 24.

Copyright Reuters, 2016

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