Unemployment in Dowlais reached what percentage due to the declining coal industry?

• A. 80%
• B. 60%
• C. 50%
• D. 90%

Answer: (A)

Industrial decline and unemployment in an industrial town. Dowlais depended heavily on coal mining and related industries, so when the coal industry contracted, jobs vanished and unemployment shot up. At its worst, unemployment in Dowlais reached about 80%, showing how severe the impact could be when a single major industry falters. This level meant that a large majority of the local workforce who previously worked in mining or its supporting trades were out of work, leading to widespread hardship, relief needs, and moves away in search of opportunity. The other percentage options underestimate the scale, while 90% would be unusually high for an entire town, so 80% best reflects the established extent of job losses in Dowlais during the industry’s decline.