Individuals who lose their jobs could face a greater risk of dying young, new research has claimed.

McGill Sociology Professor Eran Shor carried out a study which found that unemployment increases the risk of premature mortality by as much as 63 per cent.

"This probably has to do with unemployment causing stress and negatively affecting one's socioeconomic status, which in turn leads to poorer health and higher mortality rates," Professor Shor commented.

His conclusions were based on existing data compiled from 20 million people in 15 (mainly western) countries, over the last 40 years.

The report found that the correlation between unemployment and early death was the same in all contries.

Meanwhile, the latest Employment Trends survey from Ma Foi Randstad has forecast that an estimated 1.6 million new employment opportunities are to be created in India in 2011.

Furthermore, the report predicts that up to 80 per cent of this job growth will take place in the services sector.