Data compiled by the Eurostat agency has revealed the jobless rate in the 16-member Euro-zone touched 9.5% in May, a 10-year record high.

Earlier in April, the euro-zone unemployment rate was recorded at 9.3%. According to Eurostat estimates approximately 15 million people were unemployed across the euro zone in May. The current figures regarding unemployment predict a longer time for the region to recover from recession. In May the European commission raised its forecast for unemployment at the end of 2009 to 9.9% from 9.3% and feared the rate to rise further to 11.5% in 2010.

On the other hand, producer prices in Euro-zone dropped 0.2% as compared to May.

As per Eurostat's data, Spain has borne hardest blow of recession as it posted the highest jobless rate in the EU at 18.7%. Netherlands recorded the lowest unemployment rate at 3.2%.