Unemployment in the EU at lowest rate since 2000

The unemployment rate in the 28 EU Member States was 6.2 per cent in December 2019, continuing a steady decline from previous months, according to figures published Thursday by Eurostat.

This marks the lowest rate since the start of Eurostat's EU monthly unemployment series in January 2000. The euro area unemployment rate was 7.4%. This is the lowest rate recorded in the euro area since May 2008.

Compared with the situation one year earlier, unemployment fell by 747,000 in the EU28 and by 592,000 in the euro area.

The Member States with the lowest unemployment rates in December 2019 were recorded in Czechia (2.0%) as well as in Germany and the Netherlands (both 3.2%).

The highest unemployment rates were observed in Greece (16.6% in October 2019) and Spain (13.7%).

Youth unemployment in the EU decreased to 14.1% in December 2019 down from 14.6% in December 2018, and to 15.3% in the euro area in December 2019 down from 16.2% in December 2018.

The new Commission says tackling unemployment and boosting jobs remains a key priority.

The EU executive accordingly presented on 14 January its first reflections on how EU social policy can help deliver on the challenges and opportunities of today, proposing action at EU level for the months to come, and seeking feedback on further action at all levels in the area of employment and social rights.