EU Labour Market Slack Overview 2024: Trends, Disparities, And Prospects

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

October 23, 2025

Overview Of Labour Market Dynamics

Recent data from Eurostat indicates that labour market slack in the European Union reached 11.7% of the extended labour force in 2024. This figure represents 26.7 million individuals aged 15 to 74 who are either unemployed, underemployed, or otherwise not fully engaged in the workforce.

Understanding The Composition

The comprehensive measure delineated by Eurostat encompasses not only the unemployed but also includes those who are underemployed, individuals who are actively seeking work despite not being immediately available, and those who are ready for employment but are not currently pursuing job opportunities.

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Country-Specific Variations

The data highlights significant differences across the EU. For instance, Cyprus recorded a notably lower slack of 8.8% in 2024, well below the EU average. In contrast, Spain reported the highest level at 19.3%, followed by Finland at 17.9% and Sweden at 17.8%. On the other end of the spectrum, Poland (5.0%), Malta (5.1%), Slovenia (6.3%), and Hungary (6.3%) are among the nations with the least slack.

Dissecting The Data Further

A closer look shows that unemployed individuals constitute the largest segment within the slack, accounting for 5.7% of the labour force. Complementing this are 2.7% of individuals who are available for work but not actively seeking employment, 2.4% representing underemployed part-time workers, and 0.9% for those actively pursuing work yet not immediately available to start.

Divergent National Patterns

Country-specific trends reveal unique patterns. In 23 EU countries, the majority of slack stems from unemployment, with Spain leading at 10.9%, followed by Greece at 9.9% and both Finland and Sweden at 7.9%. Conversely, Ireland and the Netherlands have a larger component of slack due to underemployment among part-time workers, contributing 4.4% and 4.9% respectively. Furthermore, Czechia shows a prominence of workers seeking but not immediately available for employment at 3.1%, while in Italy, the highest proportion arises from those available for work yet not actively seeking employment, standing at 7.3%.

Conclusion

The fluctuating patterns in labour market slack across the EU underline the complex interplay of economic factors influencing employment. As the region continues to address these challenges, differentiated strategies tailored to each nation’s unique labour market landscape will be essential for maximizing workforce potential.

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Central Bank Of Cyprus Balance Sheet Reflects Strong Eurosystem Position

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

February 17, 2026

Overview Of Financial Stability

The Central Bank of Cyprus (CBC) has released its latest balance sheet, reaffirming its steadfast role within the Eurosystem. The balance sheet, featuring total assets and liabilities of €29.545 billion, underscores the institution’s stable financial posture at the close of January 2026.

Asset Allocation And Strategic Holdings

Governor Christodoulos Patsalides issued the balance sheet, which details the CBC’s asset composition under the Eurosystem framework. Notably, the bank’s gold and gold receivables amounted to €1.635 billion, providing a significant hedge and stability to its balance sheet. Additional asset categories include claims on non-euro area residents denominated in foreign currency at €1.099 billion, while claims on euro area residents in both foreign and domestic currency add further depth to its portfolio.

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The most substantial asset category, intra-Eurosystem claims, reached €19.438 billion, an indication of the CBC’s deep integration with its European counterparts. Furthermore, euro-denominated securities held by euro area residents contributed €6.587 billion. Despite a marked emphasis on these areas, lending to euro area credit institutions in monetary policy operations recorded no activity during the period.

Liability Structure And Monetary Policy Implications

On the liabilities side, banknotes in circulation contributed €3.218 billion. Liabilities to euro area credit institutions associated with monetary policy operations were notably the largest single category, totaling €17.636 billion. Supplementary liabilities included those to other euro area residents, which aggregated to €4.989 billion, with government liabilities playing a predominant role at €4.754 billion.

Other liability items, such as claims related to special drawing rights allocated by the International Monetary Fund at €494.193 million, and provisions of €596.571 million, further articulate the CBC’s exposure. Revaluation accounts stood at €1.643 billion, and overall capital and reserves were confirmed at €333.822 million, completing the picture of a well-capitalized institution.

Conclusive Insights And Strategic Alignment

The detailed breakdown illustrates the CBC’s sizeable intra-Eurosystem exposures, reinforcing its central role within Europe’s monetary landscape. With an asset-liability balance maintained at €29.545 billion, the CBC’s financial position remains robust, indicating a commitment to structural stability and strategic risk management.

This fiscal disclosure not only provides transparency into the CBC’s operations but also serves as a benchmark for comparative analysis among other central banks within the Eurosystem, highlighting the intricate balance between asset liquidity, regulatory oversight, and monetary policy imperatives.

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