Unemployment in Greece Highest in Europe

Unemployment in Greece reached 26.4 % in December 2012, the highest in the European Union, according to data released yesterday by Eurostat. Between December 2011 and December 2012, the unemployment rate increased from 21.4% to 26.4%, while in the under- 25 age bracket, it rose to 58.4%. Moreover, the euro area (EA17) seasonally-adjusted unemployment rate was at 12.0% in February 2013, while the rate for EU27 was 10.9%. Thus, compared with February 2012, unemployment rose by 1.805 million in the EU27 and by 1.775 million in the euro area.

In related news, long-term unemployment in Greece represented 39 % of the total number of the registered unemployed in 2012, according to the annual report on Greek Economy and Employment published yesterday by the General Confederation of Greek Labour’s Employment Institute (INE GSEE).


Meanwhile, the Labour Ministry launched yesterday an orientation and employment programme for a total of 35,000 jobless young people aged 18 to 29, with applications to be submitted from April 15 to May 22. In addition, the Region of Attica announced an annual employment programme of € 10 million destined for 1,500 people under 29.

GREEK NEWS AGENDA