The rate hits all-time high
The jobless rate in the euro zone (17 countries with the euro as the official currency), in February 2013, increased to 12%, which is a record, Eurostat, the statistical agency of the European Union, reported.
At the same time, before last month, the unemployment rate in the 27 EU countries rose to 10.9%, compared to 10.8% in January 2012.
According to the data from the statistical agency, as at 28 February 2013 26.338 million of unemployed were recorded in the EU, with 19.071 million - within the Eurozone. Thus, the number of unemployed in the EU in February increased by 76 thousand people, compared to January of this year, and by 1.805 million people, as compared to February 2012.
The highest unemployment rates in the EU in February 2013 were observed in Greece (26,4%), Spain (26,3%), Portugal (17,5%).
The lowest unemployment rates are still to be found in Austria (4.8%), Germany (5.4%), Luxembourg (5.5%).
