Greece’s jobless rate hit a record high in May, driven by austerity measures which have plunged the economy into a deep recession.

Data from national statistics agency Elstat yesterday showed unemployment rose to 16.6 per cent from 15.8 per cent in April, as job cuts in the wider economy outweighed a rise in seasonal tourism.

The reading was sharply higher than in the same period last year, when it stood at 12 per cent.

Greek unemployment figures are not adjusted for seasonal factors. – (Reuters)