In November 11,348 people were unemployed in Iceland on average, or 7.1 percent of the workforce, according to statistics published by the Directorate of Labor. On average those registered as unemployed increased by 430 or 0.3 percent from the month prior.
The 2008-2009 protests. Photo by Geir Ólafsson.
However, in year-over-year comparison, the unemployment rate has dropped; in November 2010 it measured 7.7 percent.
In the capital region unemployment is currently 7.9 percent but 5.7 percent in other regions. The highest unemployment rate, 12.3 percent, was reported in the southwestern Suðurnes region and the lowest rate of 2.6 percent was in northwest Iceland.
More women than men are unemployed, 7.3 percent compared to 6.9 percent, ruv.is reports.
Usually, the unemployment situation worsens in December due to seasonal fluctuations. In December 2010 the jobless rate was 8.0 percent, up from 7.7 percent in November that year.
The Directorate of Labor estimates that the unemployment rate will increase slightly this month and amount to 7.2-7.4 percent.
Click here to read more about the employment situation in Iceland.
ESA
