Those registered for unemployment benefits reached 8.2% of the
population last month, according to statistics from the Directorate of
Labor. All told there were 13,276 people registered in February, an increase of 27% from January. At this time last year, unemployment was at 1%.
Unemployment is greatest in the southwest corner, at 13.5%, and lowest in the West Fjords, at 1.8%. There was 31% increase in unmployment in the capital area during the last month, with a 20% increase in the countryside during the same period. Unemployment also remains more widespread among men than women, with 9.4% of men and 6.6% of women without work.
About 2,000 foreigners are unemployed, comprising about 12% of the total immigrant population.
Unemployment is expected to continue to rise in March.