The unemployed in Greece exceed 1 million

According to ELSTAT data, the unemployment rate rose to 21.7% in February 2012, compared to 15.2% in February 2011 and 21.3% in January 2012.

The unemployed totaled 1,070,724, up by 318,435 since February 2011 (+42.3%) and 14,237 since January 2012 (+1.3%).

The number of the employed fell by 336,589 in February 2011 (-8.0%) and by 19,729 compared to January 2012 (-0.5%), reaching 3,872,243 people. The economically inactive, that is those who are neither employed nor looking for work, increased by 25,930 since February 2011 (+0.8%) and 7,824 compared to January 2012 (+0.2%).

The highest rates are observed in women and young people aged 15-24. The unemployment rate for women increased to 25.7% from 18.8% in February 2011, while in males it reached 18.6% from 12.5%.

The unemployment rate appears particularly increased, 53.8% compared to 40.3% a year ago, as concerns young people aged 15-24, followed by those aged 25-34 years with 29.1% against 20.4%.