Unemployment measured 7.6 percent in October, up from 7.2 percent in September. Currently 12,682 workers are without a job. In October 2008, unemployment measured 1.9 percent and then increased rapidly, peaking with 9.1 percent in March 2009.
Icelanders celebrate the 2009 Gay Pride Festival in Reykjavík. Photo by Candy Caldwell.
Until last month, the unemployment rate had slowly been dropping again, according to a new report by the Directorate of Labor.
Unemployment is highest in the Sudurnes region in southwest Iceland, where 12.4 percent of the work force is without a job, mbl.is reports. Residents protested their situation in a march last Sunday.
Northwest Iceland is currently looking at the lowest unemployment rate, which measured 2.2 percent in October.
Overall, more men than women are unemployed, eight and seven percent, respectively. Most of those currently without a job are aged between 16 and 24—they amount to 18 percent of those registered as unemployed.
The Directorate of Labor is predicting a further increase of the unemployment rate this month, of up to 8.1 percent. In November 2008, unemployment measured 3.3 percent.
Click here to read more about unemployment in Iceland.
