Euro Area Jobless Rate Falls to Record Low of 6.1%

The Euro Area seasonally adjusted unemployment rate edged down to an all-time low of 6.1% in January 2026 from 6.2% in the prior month, while analysts had expected it at 6.2%. The number of unemployed dropped by 184,000 from the prior month to 10.770 million. Meanwhile, the youth unemployment rate, reflecting those under 25 seeking employment, fell to 14.8% in January from 15% previously. Among the bloc’s largest economies, Germany (4%) and the Netherlands (4%) recorded the lowest jobless rates, while Spain (9.8%), France (7.7%), and Italy (5.1%) saw the highest. A year ago, the jobless rate was slightly higher at 6.3%. In the broader European Union, the jobless rate eased to 5.8% from 5.9% in December.

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.