The number of registered unemployed people in Greece fell to a historic low in May 2026, according to figures released by DYPA, the Greek Public Employment Service.
A total of 660,682 people were registered as unemployed in DYPA’s records in May 2026, marking a decrease of 80,324 people, or 10.8%, compared with May 2025. The figure was also down by 76,943 people, or 10.4%, compared with April 2026.
According to DYPA’s registered unemployment statistics, May 2026 recorded the lowest number of registered unemployed people for that month. The year-on-year comparison shows the scale of the decline, with May 2026 posting the sharpest annual drop in recent years and bringing the total to 660,682.
Of those registered as unemployed, 373,042 people, or 56.5%, had been on the DYPA register for 12 months or more, while 287,640 people, or 43.5%, had been registered for less than 12 months.
Women accounted for the majority of registered unemployed people, with 441,984 women, or 66.9%, compared with 218,698 men, or 33.1%.
By age group, people aged 30 to 44 made up the largest share of registered unemployment, with 185,722 people, or 28.1% of the total.
By education level, people with secondary education, including post-secondary education, represented the largest category, with 315,685 registered unemployed people, or 47.8%.
The highest numbers of registered unemployed people were recorded in Attica, the region that includes Athens, and Central Macedonia, the region that includes Thessaloniki. Attica accounted for 226,352 people, or 34.3% of the total, while Central Macedonia accounted for 134,219 people, or 20.3%.
The total number of unemployed people receiving benefits in May 2026 stood at 110,856. This figure refers to beneficiaries who received payments during the month. Of these, 94,560 people, or 85.3%, were general unemployed beneficiaries and other subsidised categories, while 16,296 people, or 14.7%, were seasonal workers in the tourism sector.
The number of unemployed benefit recipients in May 2026 was down by 15,877 people, or 12.5%, compared with May 2025. It also fell by 51,626 people, or 31.8%, compared with April 2026.
Among those receiving unemployment benefits, 63,443 were women, or 57.2%, while 47,413 were men, or 42.8%.
Of the total number of benefit recipients, 90,876 people, or 82%, were general workers, 1,939, or 1.7%, were construction workers, 16,296, or 14.7%, were seasonal tourism workers, 1,392, or 1.3%, were other seasonal workers, mainly in agriculture, 285, or 0.3%, were teachers, and 68, or 0.1%, belonged to other categories of benefit recipients.
Ask me anything
Explore related questions