Russia raises 2009 unemployment forecast to over 2.2 million

MOSCOW, March 4 (RIA Novosti) - The Russian Health and Social Development Ministry has raised its unemployment forecast for 2009 to 2.2-2.8 million people, Russia's health and social development minister said.

"We now expect the number to be between 2.2 and 2.8 million," Tatyana Golikova said.

The ministry initially expected the number of unemployed to be below 2.2 million.