The euro area seasonally-adjusted unemployment rate was 9.5% in February 2017, down from 9.6% in January 2017 and from 10.3% in February 2016. This remains the lowest rate recorded in the euro area since May 2009. The EU unemployment rate was 8.0% in February 2017, down from 8.1% in January 2017 and from 8.9% in February 2016. This remains the lowest rate recorded in the EU since January 2009. These figures were published on 3 April by Eurostat, the statistical office of the EU. Compared with February 2016, unemployment fell by 1.85 million in the EU and by 1.25 million in the euro area. Among Member States, the lowest unemployment rates in February 2017 were recorded in the Czech Republic (3.4%), Germany (3.9%) and Malta (4.1%). The highest unemployment rates were observed in Greece (23.1% in December 2016) and Spain (18.0%). Compared with a year ago, the unemployment rate in February 2017 fell in 26 Member States, while it increased in Denmark (from 6.0% to 6.4%) and Lithuania (from 8.0% to 8.3%). The largest decreases were registered in Croatia (from 14.4% to 11.6%), Spain (from 20.5% to 18.0%), Portugal (from 12.2% to 10.0%) and Ireland (from 8.4% to 6.6%).