Unemployment in Greece climbed to 16.6 percent in May, according to a Labour Force Survey released by the independent Hellenic Statistical Authority (ELSTAT) on Thursday.

According to ELSTAT, the unemployment rate in May 2011 was 16.6% compared to 12.0% in May 2010 and 15.8% in April 2011.

The number of employed amounted to 4,131,528 persons while the number of unemployed amounted to 822,719 and the number of inactive to 4,383,374.

The number of employed decreased by 299,798 persons compared with May 2010 (a 6.8% rate of decrease) and by 51,804 persons compared with April 2011 (a 1.24% rate of decrease).

The number of unemployed increased by 220.534 persons (a 36.6% rate of increase) compared with May 2010 and by 36,260 persons compared with April 2011 (a 4.6% rate of decrease).