Words by

grapevine

Iceland’s unemployment rate is nearing pre-crash levels, as joblessness continues to hold well below the European and US average.
The Directorate of Labour reports (.pdf file) that the national rate of unemployment is now at 3.9%, holding steady for another consecutive month.
As always, there were unemployment differences between the sexes. Unemployment amongst women was at 4.7%, whilst for men it was 3.2%.
Regional differences also emerged. Capital area unemployment was at 4.5%, whilst in the countryside, unemployment was again lowest in the Westfjords, at 1%, and again greatest in Suðurnes, at 5.4%.
Meanwhile in Europe, unemployment is at 12.1%, and in the US, 7.4%.