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Unemployment rose by 0.2% in the past month, to 7.7%. This is still below the European Union average of 8.9%.
All told, 12,363 people were registered on the unemployment roles in November, according to statistics from the Directorate of Labour. Unemployment rates were at 8.4% in the capital area, and 6.6% in the countryside. As has been the case since at least the bank collapse of 2008, the southwestern region of Suðurnes had the highest unemployment rate, at 12.9%. At the same time, joblessness remained surprisingly low in the northwest of the country and in the West Fjörds, at 3.1% and 3% respectively.
Divided by sex, 8.1% of men and 7.2% of women were unemployed.
The number of people who have been on unemployment for longer than six months decreased by precisely four people in November, and these unemployed now represent 53% of those on the dole. At the same time, the number of people who have been unemployed for over a year increased by 55 people, and comprise approximately 30% of the unemployed.
Taken yearly, unemployment across the country has declined. In December of 2009, unemployment was at 8.2%, and had increased from November 2009’s 8%. The Directorate of Labour predicts that December 2010’s figures will show an unemployment increase up to between 7.8% and 8.1%.
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