Other recent signs of economic strength make a serious deterioration in the job market unlikely this year, economists said.

"Damage to its oil sector would mean serious economic deterioration, and recovery could become more remote."

"But we have not yet seen any real serious deterioration in the actions that people take."

"This will require us to take decisions in light of the serious deterioration."

There was a serious deterioration in the caliber of officers.

The elections took place against the background of a serious deterioration in the country's economic situation.

The 19 months since that policy change have been marked by a serious deterioration in China's responsiveness on human rights and other issues.

The event led to a serious deterioration in an already worsening situation.

It really adds up to the most serious deterioration in our economy since the 1970's.

They would also lead to a serious deterioration in safety standards, a matter which we must all be very concerned about.