News

In February 2010, the youth unemployment rate for those young people under 25 was 20.0% in the euro area and 20.6% in the EU27. In comparison, one year ago it was 18.4% in both zones. The lowest rate was observed in the Netherlands with only 7.3% and the highest rates remain in Latvia: 41.3% in the fourth quarter of 2009 and Spain with 40.7% of young people unemployed.

The unemployment rate for all economically active people in February 2010 in euro area is the highest since August 1998 with 10% and in EU27 since the start of the series in January 2000 with 9.6%.

Among the Member States, the lowest unemployment rates were recorded in the Netherlands (4.0%) and Austria (5.0%), and the highest rates in Latvia (21.7%) and Spain (19.0%).

Compared with a year ago, all Member States recorded an increase in their unemployment rate.

More information: Eurostat news release