According to the latest data from Eurostat, unemployment across the European Union has fallen to its lowest levels in recent history. The statistics reveal a decline in the number of people out of work, with only a little over 6% of the working-age population currently unemployed.

Key Statistics

• Overall Unemployment: In 2023, the EU’s unemployment rate for those aged 15-74 stands at 6.1%, the lowest since 2014.
• Long-Term Unemployment: The rate of long-term unemployment, measuring those out of work for over a year, has also hit a new low, at 2.1% of the labour force in 2023.
• Highest Long-Term Unemployment: Greece reports the highest long-term unemployment rate within the EU at 6.2%, followed by Spain at 4.3% and Italy at 4.2%.
• Lowest Long-Term Unemployment: Denmark and the Netherlands report the lowest rates, both at 0.5%.

Youth Unemployment at Record Low

Youth unemployment, defined as those aged 15-29, has also dropped to a record low of 6.3% in 2023, marking a continuing downward trend. However, disparities between countries are noticeable:

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• Highest Youth Unemployment: Sweden has the highest youth unemployment rate in the EU at 10.9%, closely followed by Spain (10.8%) and Greece (9.8%).
• Lowest Youth Unemployment: The Czech Republic leads with the lowest rate at 2.4%, with Bulgaria (3.2%) and Germany (3.3%) close behind.

This data highlights significant strides in labour market recovery and stability across the EU, although variances remain between member states. Countries like Greece and Spain continue to experience challenges, particularly in reducing long-term and youth unemployment rates. However, the overall trend points to a stronger labour market, with more EU citizens gaining employment and fewer experiencing prolonged joblessness.