News

Eurozone February Jobless Rate Above Forecasts
The Euro Area seasonally-adjusted unemployment rate stood at 8.3 percent in February 2021, above market expectations of 8.1 percent and up from 7.3 percent a year earlier. The number of unemployed increased by 48 thousand from the previous month to 13.571 million. The youth unemployment rate, measuring job-seekers under 25 years old, edged down to 17.3 percent in February, from 17.4 percent in the previous month. Amongst the largest Euro Area economies, the highest jobless rates were recorded in Spain (16.1 percent), Italy (10.2 percent) and France (8.0 percent), while the lowest rates were recorded in the Netherlands (3.6 percent) and Germany (4.5 percent).
Published on 2021-04-06

Euro Area Jobless Rate Steady at 7-Month Low
The unemployment rate in the Euro Area was unchanged at 8.1 percent in January of 2021, the same as a downwardly revised 8.1 percent in December and remaining the lowest since June 2020. Figures came in below market expectations of 8.3 percent and compare with 7.4 percent a year earlier. The number of unemployed edged up by 8 thousand from the previous month to 13.282 million. Youth unemployment rate, measuring job-seekers under 25 years old, went down to an eight-month low of 17.1 percent in January from 17.2 percent in the previous month. Amongst the largest Euro Area economies, the highest jobless rates were recorded in Spain (16 percent), and France (7.9 percent), while the lowest rates were recorded in the Netherlands (3.6 percent) and Germany (4.6 percent).
Published on 2021-03-04

Euro Area Jobless Rate Steady at 8.3%
The Euro Area seasonally-adjusted unemployment rate stood at 8.3 percent in December 2020, in line with market expectations and compare with 7.4 percent a year earlier. The number of unemployed edged up by 55 thousand from the previous month to 13.616 million. Youth unemployment rate, measuring job-seekers under 25 years old, rose to 18.5 percent in December, from 18.1 percent in the previous month. Amongst the largest Euro Area economies, the highest jobless rates were recorded in Spain (16.2 percent), Italy (9 percent), France (8.9 percent), while the lowest rates were recorded in the Netherlands (3.9 percent) and Germany (4.6 percent).
Published on 2021-02-01

Eurozone Jobless Rate Falls Slightly in November
The Euro Area seasonally-adjusted unemployment rate edged down to 8.3 percent in November 2020, from 8.4 percent in the previous month, and moving further away from an over two-year high of 8.7 percent hit back in July. The number of unemployed people decreased by 172 thousand to 13.609 million. Youth unemployment rate, measuring job-seekers under 25 years old, rose to 18.4 percent in November, from 18.0 percent in the previous month. Amongst the largest Euro Area economies, the highest jobless rates were recorded in Spain (16.4 percent), Italy (8.9 percent), France (8.8 percent), while the lowest rates were recorded in the Netherlands (4.0 percent) and Germany (4.5 percent).
Published on 2021-01-08

Eurozone Jobless Rate Falls in October
The Euro Area seasonally-adjusted unemployment rate edged down to 8.4 percent in October 2020, from an upwardly revised 8.5 percent in the previous month and moving further away from an over two-year high of 8.7 percent hit back in July. The number of unemployed decreased by 86,000 from the previous month to 13.825 million. Still, the Eurostat warns that the numbers do not capture in full the unprecedented labor market situation triggered by the COVID-19 outbreak, as people only count as unemployed if they were actively seeking work in the last four weeks and were available to start work within the next two weeks. There was a sharp increase in the number of claims for unemployment benefits across the bloc; while a significant part of those who had registered in unemployment agencies were no longer actively looking for a job or no longer available for work, for instance, if they had to take care of their children.
Published on 2020-12-02

Euro Area Unemployment Rate at 2-1/2-Year High
The unemployment rate in the Euro Area was unchanged at 8.3 percent in September of 2020, the same as an upwardly revised 8.3 percent in August and the highest since April of 2018. Figures came in line with market expectations and compare with 7.5 percent a year earlier. 13.612 million people were unemployed in the Euro Area in September, an increase of 75,000 from August and a rise of 1.376 million from a year earlier.
Published on 2020-10-30

Eurozone Jobless Rate Rises to Over 2-Year High
The Euro Area seasonally-adjusted unemployment rate increased to 8.1 percent in August 2020 from an upwardly revised 8 percent in the previous month and matching market expectations. It was the highest jobless rate since July 2018, as the coronavirus pandemic hit the labour market. The number of unemployed persons rose by 251 thousand to 13.188 million, despite temporary government job-support programs and the relaxation of some containment measures. Among the bloc's largest economies, the highest jobless rates were recorded in Spain (16.2 percent), Italy (9.7 percent), and France (7.5 percent) while the lowest was observed in Germany (4.4 percent). The youth unemployment rate, measuring job seekers aged 15 to 24, went up to 18.1 percent from 17.8 percent in July. Considering the European Union as a whole, the jobless rate was at 7.4 percent in July, up from 7.3 percent in the prior month.
Published on 2020-10-01

Eurozone Jobless Rate Rises to Over 1-1/2-Year High
The Euro Area seasonally-adjusted unemployment rate rose to 7.9 percent in July 2020 from a downwardly revised 7.7 percent in the previous month but slightly below market expectations of 8 percent. It was the highest jobless rate since November 2018, as the coronavirus pandemic hit the labor market. The number of unemployed persons increased by 344 thousand to 12.793 million, despite temporary government job-support programs and the relaxation of some containment measures. Among the bloc's largest economies, the highest jobless rates were recorded in Spain (15.8 percent), Italy (9.7 percent), and France (6.9 percent) while the lowest was observed in Germany (4.4 percent). The youth unemployment rate, measuring job seekers aged 15 to 24, went up to 17.3 percent from 17.2 percent in June. Considering the European Union as a whole, the jobless rate was 7.2 percent in July, up from 7.1 percent in the prior month.
Published on 2020-09-01

Eurozone Jobless Rate Rises to Over 1-Year High
The Euro Area seasonally-adjusted unemployment rate increased to 7.8 percent in June 2020 from an upwardly revised 7.7 percent in the previous month and above market expectations of 7.7 percent. It was the highest jobless rate since February last year amid the coronavirus crisis. The number of unemployed persons rose by 203 thousand to 12.685 million, with several countries across the bloc remaining under COVID-19 containment measures. Among the bloc's largest economies, the highest jobless rates were recorded in Spain (15.6 percent), Italy (8.8 percent), and France (7.7 percent) while the lowest was observed in Germany (5.8 percent). The youth unemployment rate, measuring job seekers aged 15 to 24, went up to 17 percent from 16.5 percent in May. Considering the European Union as a whole, the jobless rate was 7.1 percent in June, up from 7.0 percent in the prior month.
Published on 2020-07-30

EA Jobless Rate Stays Low Amid Government Support
The Euro Area seasonally-adjusted unemployment rate edged up to 7.4 percent in May 2020, remaining close to March's record low of 7.1 percent and below market expectations of 7.7 percent, as the governments' measures to protect jobs during the coronavirus crises along with an increase in the number of inactive people due to the coronavirus crisis have been supporting the labor market. The number of unemployed persons increased by 159 thousand to 12.146 million, with most countries across the bloc remaining under COVID-19 containment measures. Among the bloc's largest economies, the highest jobless rates were recorded in Spain (14.5 percent), France (8.1 percent) and Italy (7.8 percent), while the lowest was observed in Germany (3.9 percent). The youth unemployment rate, measuring job seekers aged 15 to 24, went up to 16.0 percent from 15.7 percent in April. Considering the European Union as a whole, the jobless rate was 6.7 percent in May, up from 6.6 percent in April.
Published on 2020-07-02

Eurozone Jobless Rate Rises Less Than Expected
The Euro Area seasonally-adjusted unemployment rate rose to 7.3 percent in April 2020 from a downwardly revised 7.1 percent in the previous month, but well below market expectations of 8.2 percent, as the number of unemployed persons increased by 211 thousand to 11.919 million. April was the second month after COVID-19 containment measures were implemented by most member states. Among the bloc's largest economies, the highest unemployment rates were recorded in Spain (14.8 percent) and France (8.7 percent) while the lowest rates were observed in Germany (3.5 percent) and Italy (6.3 percent). The youth unemployment rate, which measures job seekers aged 15 to 24, went up to 15.8 percent from 15.1 percent in March. Considering the European Union as a whole, the jobless rate was at 6.6 percent, up from 6.4 percent in March.
Published on 2020-06-03

Eurozone Jobless Rate Rises Less Than Expected
The Euro Area seasonally-adjusted unemployment rate edged up to 7.4 percent in March of 2020 from 7.3 percent in the previous month and below market expectations of 7.7 percent, as the number of unemployed persons increased by 197 thousand to 12.156 million. The COVID-19 confinement measures introduced in March 2020 have triggered a sharp increase in the number of claims for unemployment benefits across the EU. At the same time, a significant part of those who had registered in unemployment agencies were no longer actively looking for a job, e.g. limited by the confinement measures or no longer available for work, for instance, if they had to take care of their children during the lockdown. This leads to discrepancies in the number of registered unemployed and those measured as unemployed according to the ILO definition.
Published on 2020-04-30

Eurozone Jobless Rate Hits 12-Year Low
The Euro Area seasonally-adjusted unemployment rate fell to 7.3 percent in February 2020, its lowest level since March 2008 and slightly below market expectations of 7.4 percent, as the number of unemployed decreased by 8,000 from the previous month to 12.047 million. Among the bloc's largest economies, the lowest unemployment rate was recorded in Germany (3.2 percent), while higher rates were observed in France (8.1 percent), Italy (9.7 percent) and Spain (13.6 percent).
Published on 2020-04-01

Eurozone Jobless Rate Remains at Lowest Since 2008
The Euro Area seasonally-adjusted unemployment rate stood at 7.4 percent in January 2020, its lowest level since May 2008 and in line with market expectations, as the number of unemployed edged up by 1,000 from the previous month to 12.179 million. Among the bloc's largest economies, the lowest unemployment rate was recorded in Germany (3.2 percent), while higher rates were observed in France (8.2 percent), Italy (9.8 percent) and Spain (13.7 percent). The youth unemployment rate, which measures job seekers aged 15 to 24, dropped to 15.6 percent from 16.1 percent in the same period a year earlier. Considering the European Union as a whole, the jobless rate was also unchanged at 6.2 percent, the lowest since comparable series began in January 2000.
Published on 2020-03-03

Eurozone Jobless Rate Falls to Over 11-Year Low
The Euro Area seasonally-adjusted unemployment rate fell to 7.4 percent in December 2019 from 7.5 percent in the previous month, below market expectations of 7.5 percent. It is the lowest jobless rate since May 2008, as the number of unemployed decreased by 34,000 from the previous month to 12,251. Among the bloc's largest economies, the lowest unemployment rate was recorded in Germany (3.2 percent), while higher rates were observed in France (8.4 percent), Italy (9.8 percent) and Spain (13.7 percent). The youth unemployment rate, which measures job seekers aged 15 to 24, dropped to 15.3 percent from 16.2 percent in the same period a year earlier. Considering the European Union as a whole, the jobless rate edged down to 6.2 percent from 6.3 percent in November, the lowest since comparable series began in January 2000.
Published on 2020-01-30

Eurozone Jobless Rate Remains at 11-Year Low
The unemployment rate in the Euro Area stood at 7.5 percent in November 2019, its lowest level since July 2008 and in line with market expectations, as the number of unemployed decreased by 10,000 from the previous month to 12.315 million. Among the bloc's largest economies, the lowest unemployment rate was recorded in Germany (3.1 percent), while higher rates were observed in France (8.4 percent), Italy (9.7 percent) and Spain (14.1 percent). The youth unemployment rate, which measures job seekers aged 15 to 24, dropped to 15.6 percent from 16.3 percent in the same period a year earlier. Considering the European Union as a whole, the jobless rate was unchanged at 6.3 percent, the lowest since comparable series began in January 2000.
Published on 2020-01-09

Eurozone Jobless Rate Falls to Over 11-Year Low
The Euro Area seasonally-adjusted unemployment rate fell to 7.5 percent in October 2019 from an upwardly revised 7.6 percent in the previous month and matching market expectations. It was the lowest rate recorded in the euro area since July 2018, as the number of unemployed declined.
Published on 2019-11-29

Euro Area Jobless Rate at Over 11-Year Low of 7.5%
The Euro Area seasonally-adjusted unemployment rate stood at 7.5 percent in September 2019, unchanged from the previous month and slightly above market expectations of 7.4 percent. Still, this is the lowest rate recorded in the euro area since July 2008.
Published on 2019-10-31

Eurozone Jobless Rate Falls to Over 11-Year Low
The Euro Area seasonally-adjusted unemployment rate dropped to 7.4 percent in August 2019, the lowest since May 2008 and slightly below market expectations of 7.5 percent, as the number of unemployed continued to decline.
Published on 2019-09-30

Eurozone Jobless Rate Holds Steady at 11-Year Low
The Euro Area seasonally-adjusted unemployment rate stood at 7.5 percent in July 2019, unchanged from the previous month's 11-year low and in line with market expectations. The number of unemployed continued to decline.
Published on 2019-08-30