With each passing month, unemployment in Greece breaks a new record: more than 1.1 million people are without job – and most probably without income whatsoever. Exactly 1,109,658 souls. One works, two sit at home. Unemployment broke a new record in April 2012 and reached 22.5 percent, according to Greek Statistics Authority.

Among the youth 15-25 years old the unemployment is at 51.5%. In the age group 25-34 unemployment is almost 29.8%, in 30%, in ages 35-44 is at 19.4%, in 45-54 at 17.2%, in 55-64 at 13.8% and for those 65-74% years old unemployment is at 4.1%.

Champions in unemployment are the regions of Crete (24.6%), Ipirus and Western Macedonia (24.5%). In Attica (Athens & broader ara) unemployment is at 23.4%.

In comparison, in April 2011 unemployment was at 16.2% translated into 801,883 people.

Women are affected by unemployment at 26% (19.8% in Apr 2011) and men at 20% (13.6% in Apr 2011).

The numbers of economically active and inactive people is almost equal:

3.813.601 economically active, 3.60,717 economically inactive.

The total population of Greece is 10,964,020 people.

ELSTAT unemployment data do not include self-employed but only employees.

Forecasts by Economic Research Institue IOBE (the research centre where FinMin Yiannis Stournaras was director) predict unemployment to reach 23.6% and recession -6.8% in 2012.

Development and growth will come some time in the future. Near or far, I can’t tell you.

PS I would have thought that Crete with agriculture and tourism would be better off, but I was wrong…

ELSTAT Full Report HERE in Greek.