Unemployment has reached new highs in Greece, with October 2012 figures showing the jobless rate at 26.8%, a major increase from the same month in 2011.

The rate increased from 26.2% in September 2012, and marked a significant jump from the 19.7% of October 2011, official figures show.

The young are the worst affected, with 56.6% of those aged between 15 and 24 out of work.

Greece has been struggling through a severe financial crisis since late 2009, and has been dependent on international rescue loans since May 2010.

In return, the government has imposed strict austerity measures that have slashed salaries, increased taxes and plunged the country into a recession. Tens of thousands of businesses have shut down.

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