Unemployment Rate Rises in February

The unemployment rate continued its rising trend in the month of February, increasing 1.3 percent versus January's rate to 20,101 people (seasonally adjusted), said the Cyprus Statistical Service.

In comparison to February 2009, the unemployment rate rose 46.2 percent. The main economic sectors feeling the chill of an economic recession in Cyprus are construction, public adminstration, trade, hotels and restaurants and real estate.

The unemployment rate has risen steadily since August 2009 amid a recession which started in the second quarter of the year.