June unemployment rate higher than last year but shows a decline from May, mostly affecting foreign nationals
The unemployment rate in June was 3.1%, which is higher than the same month last year, but lower than in May. The average number of unemployed individuals was 6,722 in June, with more men unemployed than women.
Unemployment was higher in the capital region, at 3.4%, compared to the countryside, where it was 2.7%. Breaking it down by regions, the highest unemployment rate was in Suðurnes, at 5.3%. In Suðurland, it was 2.6%, in Vestfjörðum 2.2%, in Vesturland 2.1%, in Norðurland eystra 1.8%, in Austurland 1.3%, and in Norðurland vestra it was 1%.
Most sectors saw a decrease in unemployment between May and June, particularly in construction, retail, and transportation. However, an increase in unemployment was observed in four sectors: public services, education, health, and social services.
More than half of those on the unemployment register at the end of June were foreign nationals, most of whom were from Poland – around 1,600 individuals. They are followed by Lithuanians, Romanians, and Latvians.
No significant changes in unemployment are expected in July.