Greece: Unemployment rate climbs in June amid coronavirus pandemic
The number of unemployed persons rose by 58,146 in June compared to May while the seasonally-adjusted unemployment rate jumped to 18.3% from the previous month’s revised 17.3% (previously reported: 17.0%), according to data released by the Hellenic Statistical Authority. June’s reading marked the third consecutive increase and the highest unemployment rate in over a year. In addition, it was above that of June 2019’s revised 17.1% (previously reported: 17.2%).
Greece’s unemployment rate had been falling steadily in recent years, since peaking at around 28% in the summer of 2013. Nonetheless, the pandemic’s impact on the country’s tourism industry and the small and medium enterprises—the backbone of the Greek economy—is bound to increase unemployment going forward.
Meanwhile, youth unemployment—categorized by individuals between the ages of 15-24—came in at 39.3% in June, well above June 2019’s 34.4%.