According to the figures published today by Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union, the highest unemployment rates among the member states in June 2014 were recorded in Greece (27.0%) and Spain (24.4%).

On the other hand, the lowest unemployment rates for the same period were recorded in Austria (4.7%) and Germany (4.9%).

Especially in Greece, the number of unemployed in June reached 1.3 million. The unemployment rate for men stood at 23.8%, for women at 31.1% and for young people under 25 at 51.5%.

Euro area

The euro area seasonally-adjusted unemployment rate was 11.5% in August 2014, stable compared with July 2014, but down from 12.0% in August 2013. The EU28 unemployment rate was 10.1% in August 2014, the lowest value since February 2012. The rate was down from 10.2% in July 2014, and from 10.8% in August 2013.

Eurostat estimates that 24.642 million men and women in the EU28, of whom 18.326 million were in the euro area, were unemployed in August 2014. Compared with July 2014, the number of persons unemployed decreased by 134 000 in the EU28 and by 137 000 in the euro area. Compared with August 2013, unemployment fell by 1.745 million in the EU28 and by 834 000 in the euro area.