The number of jobholders has fallen by 3 percent over a five-year period, marking the first decrease on record, according to a government report released Wednesday.

The total fell to just more than 65 million as of last Oct. 1.

The ratio of jobholders to those aged 15 and older came to 59.5 percent, down 3.3 percentage points from the ratio recorded Oct. 1, 1997. This is the first fall below 60 percent, the Public Management, Home Affairs, Posts and Telecommunications Ministry said.