Euro Area Jobless Rate Slightly Above Forecasts

The Euro Area seasonally adjusted unemployment rate eased for the second month to 6.2% in December 2025, tying the record lows from late 2024 and down from 6.3% in November. Analysts had expected it to remain steady at 6.3%. The number of unemployed decreased by 61,000 from the prior month to 10.792 million. Meanwhile, the youth unemployment rate, reflecting those under 25 seeking employment, ticked down to 14.3% in December from the downwardly revised 14.4% the month before. Among the bloc’s largest economies, Germany (3.8%) and the Netherlands (4%) registered the lowest jobless rates, while Spain (10%), France (7.7%), and Italy (5.6%) recorded the highest. A year ago, the jobless rate was slightly lower at 6.3%. In the broader European Union, the jobless rate remained steady for the second month at 5.9%.

The Euro Area seasonally adjusted unemployment rate edged down to 6.3% in November 2025 from October's 6.4%, while analysts had expected it to remain steady at 6.4%. It was the lowest reading since April, as the number of unemployed decreased by 71,000 from the prior month to 10.937 million. Meanwhile, the youth unemployment rate, reflecting those under 25 seeking employment, inched lower to 14.6% in November from 14.8% in October. Among the bloc’s largest economies, Germany (3.8%) and the Netherlands (4%) registered the lowest rates, while Spain (10.4%), France (7.7%), and Italy (5.7%) recorded the highest. A year ago, the jobless rate was slightly lower at 6.2%. In the broader European Union, the jobless rate remained steady at 6% for the seventh straight month.

The Euro Area seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was at 6.4% in October 2025, matching September's revised reading and slightly above market forecasts of 6.3%. The number of unemployed decreased by 13,000 from the prior month to 11.033 million. Meanwhile, the youth unemployment rate, reflecting those under 25 seeking employment, stood at 14.8% in October, in line with the revised reading in September. Among the bloc’s largest economies, Spain (10.5%), France (7.7%), and Italy (6%) recorded the highest jobless rates, while Germany (3.8%) and the Netherlands (4%) registered the lowest. A year ago, the jobless rate was slightly lower at 6.3%. In the broader European Union, the jobless rate remained steady for the sixth straight month at 6%.