Unemployment among IT contractors is only half of what it was following the dot.com crash of five years ago, according to research from contractor services provider giant group.

The research shows that at the end of 2003, 13% of IT contractors were unemployed for 90 days or more. This compares with 7.5% in giant’s latest survey.

The survey also shows that 62% would opt for a long-term contract over higher per hour pay, up from 56% in 2003.

Almost a third (30%) thought that the public sector would support demand for IT skills; in 2003, up from 13% five years ago.

Matthew Brown, managing director of giant group, says: “Despite the current problems that IT contractors are faced with they are still faring far better than they were following the dot.com crash.”