EU – EURO AREA UNEMPLOYMENT RATE FALLS TO LOWEST RATE RECORDED

The euro area (EA19) seasonally-adjusted unemployment rate was 9.1% in June 2017, down from 10.1% in June 2016. This is the lowest rate recorded in the euro area since February 2009, according to figures from Eurostat, the statistical body of the European Union.

Meanwhile, the EU28 unemployment rate was 7.7% in June, down from 8.6% in the same time last year. This remains the lowest rate recorded in the EU28 since December 2008.

Eurostat estimated that 18.7 million men and women in the EU28, of whom 14.7 million in the euro area, were unemployed in June. Compared with June 2016, unemployment fell by 2.37 million in the EU28 and by 1.67 million in the euro area.

Among the Member States, the lowest unemployment rates in June were recorded in the Czech Republic (2,9%), Germany (3.8%) and Malta (4.1%). The highest unemployment rates were observed in Greece (21.7% in April 2017) and Spain (17.1%). Compared with a year ago, the unemployment rate fell in all Member States for which data is comparable over time, except Estonia which showed an increase (from 6.5% in May 2016 to 6.9% in May 2017).

The youth unemployment rate was 16.7% in the EU28 and 18.7% in the euro area, compared with 18.8% and 21.0% respectively in June 2016. The lowest rate was observed in Germany while the highest was recorded in Greece.

source: www2.staffingindustry.com

top