Italy: first quarter unemployment 10.9%, top since '99

The rate of unemployment in Italy soared to 10.9% in the first quarter of 2012, a 2.3% yearly increase, according to raw figures from Italy's statistics institute (ISTAT). It is the highest level since the first quarter of 1999. The rate of unemployment in April was 10.2%, a 0.1% increase on March and a 2.2% rise on last year's corresponding month. The figure is the highest since January 2004, when monthly statistics began. ISTAT says that there were 2,615,000 people unemployed in April. The increase on March was 1.5% (38,000 people).On an annual basis, the increase was of 31.1% (621,000 people).(ANSAmed).