Passed the psychological threshold of 5 million unemployed in Spain. In the last quarter of 2011 there were 5,2 million unemployed, against 4,9 in the previous quarter. The unemployment rate rose to 22,8%, displacing the forecasts of analysts who predicted it at 21,8.
The figure is the highest in the eurozone and becomes even more worrying if you look at young people. In December, the number of unemployed under 24s reached 51% from 45% in September. An alarming figure that goes beyond the most pessimistic forecasts. Hard times are ahead for the government of Mariano Rajoy.
