The unemployment rate at the end of July stood at 7.1%; it was 1.4 percentage points lower compared to the previous year. In July, the unemployment rate reached its lowest level since 1991. At the end of July 2017, there were 1.14 million unemployed, i.e. 11,700 fewer than in the same month a year earlier (1%). The number of the unemployed at the end of July this year was lower by 221,500 compared to the previous year (a decline of 16.3%). The number of vacancies and professional activation places registered by employers in employment agencies in July 2017 totalled 136,900. According to CBOS, the percentage of negative opinions about the labour market fell in March to 25%, as compared to 49% a year earlier. More people claim that they will be able to find a job (51% compared to 65% in 2016). Among the surveyed Poles, nearly one in ten claims that finding a satisfactory job is not a problem. A year ago, this was the opinion of only 5% of respondents. More people expect improvements in the labour market (an increase from 24% to 29%). At the same time, the percentage of those anticipating negative changes has decreased (10% versus 16% a year earlier).