The total number of registered unemployed individuals in the Public Employment Service (PES) registry for the month of May 2026 stood at 660,682, marking a decrease of 80,324 (-10.8%) compared to the same month of the previous year, May 2025, and a decrease of 76,943 people (-10.4%) compared to the previous month, April 2026.
According to registered unemployment statistics, this represents a historic low in the number of registered unemployed in May 2026. As noted in a related announcement, the year-over-year comparison highlights the magnitude of the current decline. May 2026 saw the sharpest annual decline in recent years, bringing the total number down to a historic low of 660,682 people (a percentage change of -10.8%).
Of the total 660,682 people, 373,042 (56.5%) have been registered with the DYPA for 12 months or longer, and 287,640 (43.5%) have been registered with the DYPA for less than 12 months.
Men numbered 218,698 (33.1%), and women numbered 441,984 (66.9%).
The 30–44 age group had the largest number of registered unemployed among all age groups, totaling 185,722 people (28.1%).
The secondary education level, which includes post-secondary education, had the largest number of registered unemployed among the educational levels, totaling 315,685 people (47.8%).
Among the country’s regions, the Attica Region and the Central Macedonia Region recorded the highest number of registered unemployed, totaling 226,352 people (34.3%) and 134,219 people (20.3%), respectively.
The total number of unemployed individuals receiving benefits for the month of May 2026 (referring to the number of beneficiaries who were paid during that month) amounted to 110,856 people, of whom 94,560 (85.3%) are general unemployed individuals and other categories of unemployed benefit recipients, and 16,296 (14.7%) are seasonal workers in the tourism sector.
Specifically, the number of unemployed individuals receiving benefits for the month of May 2026 stood at 110,856, representing a decrease of 15,877 (-12.5%) compared to the same month of the previous year, May 2025, and a decrease of 51,626 people (-31.8%) compared to the previous month, April 2026.
Men numbered 47,413 (42.8%) and women 63,443 (57.2%).
Of the total number of unemployed receiving benefits, 90,876 (82%) are general workers, 1,939 (1.7%) are construction workers, 16,296 (14.7%) are seasonal workers in the tourism sector, 1,392 (1.3%) are other seasonal workers (agricultural), 285 (0.3%) are teachers, and 68 (0.1%) are other recipients of benefits.