The jobless rate in Spain in the last three months of 2012 rose to 26%, or 5.97 million people, the highest level since the mid-1970s, due to the country’s prolonged recession and deep spending cuts. Youth unemployment surged to 55%. The unemployment rate in Greece also increased in the final quarter of 2012 to more than 26.8%, the highest level in the European Union, with youth unemployment edging towards 60%.