The number of registered unemployed people rose 4.18 percent in December 2010 to 653,552, the Manpower Employment Organisation (OAED) announced on Friday.
The southern Aegean (20.80 percent) region recorded the biggest percentage increase among the countries regions, which also recorded the highest rate in long-term unemployment (9.09 pct), followed by the northern Aegean region (8.6 pct).
OAED said 35.98 percent of registered unemployed were registered for a period of more than 12 months, while the remaining 64.02 percent were registered for a period of less than 12 months. The Attica region (greater Athens) accounted for 33.62 percent of unemployed people, followed by the central Macedonia region (20.74 pct).
The number of people taking unemployment benefits totaled 277,904 in December, up 71,125 compared with November. The biggest number of unemployed people, receiving unemployment benefit was recorded in March 2010 (296,245).
New hirings fell 11.42 percent in December compared with December 2009, while lay offs fell were down 5.92 percent compared with November.
source: ana-mpa
