Cyprus unemployment climbs by 31.5% in April

** Unemployment rate hits 10% **

The number of registered unemployed rose by 8,487 persons or 31.5% to 35,398 persons, reaching a another new record.
Compared with April 2011, the main increase was in construction workers (an increase of 1,998), wholesale and retail trade (1,921), manufacturing (1,280), public administration (819) and accommodation and food service activities (809).
There was an increase of 132 unemployed newcomers in the labour market.
On a seasonally adjusted basis, the trend continues to be upwards, climbing to 35,330 in April from 34,270 in the previous month.
Meanwhile, Eurostat, the only organisation to provide a monthly unemploment rate, reported the unemployment rate in Cyprus at 10%, only just short of the EU average of 10.9%.
Cyprus was also one of the countries that saw the most rapid increase, from 6.9% in April 2011 to 10% in April 2012.
Cyprus used to be able to boast full employment.