Registered unemployment in Greece fell 3.2%, or by 35,068 persons, in February compared with the same month last year, official figures showed on Monday. This is also down 1.5% in comparison with January 2023.
The number of unemployed people totaled 1,074,573 in February, of which 538,940 (50..2%) were long-term unemployed (more than 12 months). Men accounted for 36.1% of unemployed and women 686,562. The 30-44 age group recorded the highest unemployment rate 33.4% or 358,727.
Among the country's regions, Attica and Central Macedonia recorded the biggest number of unemployed (332,422 or 30.9%) and 201,369 or 18.7%, respectively.
The number of people receiving unemployment benefit reached 239,196 in February, of which 106,013 were men and 133,183 women.
Meanwhile, tax revenue surpassed targets by 1.3 billion euros in the first two months of 2023, according to provisional state budget execution figures on a modified cash basis.
However, a part of this increase, worth 470 million euros, covered the delayed payment of car circulation fees initially expected to be paid in December 2022.
Alternate Finance Minister Theodore Skylakakis, commenting on budget execution data, said the continuing higher performance of tax revenue enhanced the economy's resilience and confirmed the very strong, growth potential of government policies.
The state budget recorded a surplus of 2.294 billion euros in the January-February period, up from a budget target for a surplus of 36 million and a deficit of 910 million euros in the same period last year.
The primary result showed a surplus of 4.201 billion euros, up from a target for a primary surplus of 1.816 billion and a primary surplus of 840 million in the corresponding period in 2022. Net revenue was 12.950 billion euros, up 17.7% from targets.
Tax revenue totaled 10.047 billion euros, up 15% from targets, while tax returns amounted to 784 million euros, up 104 million from targets. Public Investment Programme revenue totaled 1.415 billion euros, up 630 million from targets.
Budget spending totaled 10.656 billion euros, down 311 million from targets, but up 893 million form the same period last year. Regular budget spending was down 141 million euros from targets, while Public Investment Programme spending totaled 1.319 billion euros, down 170 million from targets.
In February, budget revenue totaled 5.784 billion euros, up 1.372 billion from targets, while regular budget revenue was 6.123 billion, up 1.292 billion from targets.
Tax revenue amounted to 5.119 billion euros, up 17.9% from targets, tax returns totaled 339 million, down 80 million from targets and Public Investment Programme revenue was 814 million euros, up 544 million from targets.
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